Paeonia × suffruticosa is a name used for a group of cultivars of tree peonies that are the result of hybridisation with species exclusively belonging to the subsection Vaginatae. The common name used in China is mǔdān (Chinese: 牡丹). Plants belonging to this group have been cultivated for millennia in China, initially only as a source of traditional Chinese medicine particularly the skin of its roots (牡丹皮; mǔdān pí). Already early on the plant was also cultivated for its ornamental value, and it is highly revered in Chinese culture. It is a perennial deciduous shrub with stems up to 2 m; The branches are short and thick. Leaves are usually green, pale green, sometimes white, 5-11 cm long. Flowers have petals reddish purple, pink to white. Flowering occurs in May; Fruit in June. Source: Wikipedia (en)