Paeonia brownii aka Brown's Peony

Paeonia brownii is a perennial in the peony family, Paeoniaceae. Its common names include Brown's peony and western peony. It comes from the western United States, not Britain or Ireland. Its range includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and northwest Wyoming. It also reaches northern California, northern Nevada, and part of Utah. In the wild, it grows in sagebrush country and ponderosa pine woods.

This plant reaches about 1.6 feet (0.5 metres) tall. It can live for at least 50 years in gardens. Plants For A Future lists its flowering season as June to July. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers, and the plant is self-fertile. The seeds have a recorded craft use as necklace beads.

Grow it in sun or light shade, including woodland edges. It needs deep, rich soil with very good drainage. It prefers moist ground but cannot cope with waterlogged soil. Soil that becomes too dry can also cause failure. It accepts sandy, loamy, and clay soils, including heavy clay. Neutral or slightly alkaline soil suits it best, though mild acidity is acceptable. Plants on sand may make more leaves and fewer flowers. Those on clay take longer to settle but may bloom better. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 6–9 and reports tolerance near −22°F (−30°C).

Fresh seed is best sown when ripe in a cold frame. It may form roots in about six weeks, then shoots in spring. Stored seed may take 18 months or longer to germinate. The roots do not cope well with disturbance. Some growers leave seedlings in their pots for two growing seasons. This gives the roots time to develop before moving them. These needs call for care when raising young plants.

Plants For A Future records the root as edible, with a liquorice-like taste. It gives this food use a low rating. The same source reports no known hazards, but this does not establish safety. It also records Indigenous North American medicinal uses of the root. These include preparations for coughs, digestive complaints, and skin wounds. Such records describe past use, not proof of safe or effective treatment.