Paeonia officinalis

Botanical Name: Paeonia officinalis
Family: Paeoniaceae

What We're Growing:
We grow herbaceous peonies for their lush blooms, fragrant petals, and perennial roots. Their soft colors and layered petals make them one of the most admired flowers in the garden.

How We Use It:
Peonies are not used in our culinary offerings, but we honor their deep medicinal roots. Historically, their petals and roots have been used in teas, tinctures, and topical formulas — especially in Eastern and Western herbal traditions.

Why They’re Good for You:
Peony root is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to nourish the blood, regulate hormones, and calm the nervous system. It contains paeoniflorin, a compound with anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and immune-modulating properties.

Though not consumed fresh, the dried root is known to support menstrual comfort, liver function, and overall hormonal balance. It is a key herb in formulas that soothe tension, cramping, and mood fluctuations.

In the Garden:
Peonies prefer full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Once established, they return reliably year after year, often blooming more profusely with age. Their deep roots help structure the soil and improve microbial health.

Fun Fact:
In both Eastern and Western herbalism, peony root is used to calm the spirit and soften emotional tension — making it as useful to the heart as it is to the soil.