The early onset and short blooming season for tree peonies this year is unprecedented. There is still time to experience the splendor of the late blooming shrubs in the coming week. The peony gardens are located on the northeast side of the grounds and are open to the public from dawn to dusk.

One of the earliest accounts of tree peonies was written by Ou-yang Hisu (1007-1072) and is titled "Record of the Tree Peonies of Loyang." In this account Hisu says "as for the tree peony, this has no name but is merely referred to as 'flower,' meaning that in the empire the tree peony is the only true flower." This record included names and descriptions of twenty three cultivars about which Hisu says, "... I now record only the most outstanding varieties, and rank them in order." Read more facts about tree peonies.