Paeonia officinalis L. subsp. humilis (Retz.) Cullen & Heyw.

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘The dwarf Peony differs from P. peregrina, No. 1050, chiefly in having its leaves more finely divided, glaucous above, and clothed with a soft pubescence underneath; its leaflets are more acute and more incised; the germens are nearly smooth, having only a few thinly scattered short hairs, whereas in peregrina they are quite woolly.  This species seems to have been well known to the older Botanists, but was never correctly described till taken up by Retzius.  With his ample description our plant corresponds in every respect, except that, in his specific character, he has capsulis pilosis; in his full description, however, he says the capsules are but slightly hairy (parum pilosae).  Supposed to be a native of Spain, and is perfectly hardy’.  [BM t.1422/1811].  Paeonia humilis was introduced to Britain in 1633. [JD]. 

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [B.392/1850].

Notes

Paeonia humilis Willd. (1821) = Paeonia paradoxa Anders.

Paeonia humilis Retz. is related by some to Paeonia peregrina Mill. which see.