Paeonia officinalis aka Cottage Peony

Paeonia officinalis, commonly known as the common peony or garden peony, is a species of flowering plant in the family Paeoniaceae. Native to mountainous regions of Southern Europe, it has been introduced in Central and Western Europe as well as North America. Initially used for medicinal purposes, it is now primarily cultivated as an ornamental plant. While the typical species is rare, many horticultural selections have been developed. The cultivar 'Rubra Plena' has even received the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. This upright and bushy herbaceous perennial features attractive dark green foliage that turns red in spring. Its erect stems bear single, saucer-shaped rose-pink flowers with a tufted center of pink petaloids, emitting a delightful spicy fragrance. Although a rare houseplant, the common peony is not difficult to grow and requires regular watering to thrive. It thrives best in direct light, ideally positioned within one foot of a window. Well-draining soil is recommended, and regular repotting as the plant doubles in size eliminates the need for added fertilizers. Belonging to the Paeonia genus, this beautiful plant is native to Europe.