New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx in Bronx County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Dolores DeFina Hope Tree Peony Collection
Hardy tree peonies have been cultivated in China for more than one thousand years.
Tree peonies are one of the most spectacular flowering shrubs, producing blooms of ten or more inches in diameter. They are relatives of the more familiar herbaceous peonies that die away completely in fall, but tree peonies' woody stems persist above ground even after they lose their leaves. Chinese tree peonies are hybrids of wild tree peony species native to the mountains of northwestern China, first developed during the Sui Dynasty (581-618). In late April and early May large white, pink, and magenta flowers in this collection of Chinese tree peonies create a brief yet brilliant burst of color.
In ancient China tree peonies (mudan) were called "King of Flowers, symbolizing wealth and prosperity, and were planted abundantly in the Emperors' palace gardens. Mudan have been celebrated in Chinese poetry, paintings, and decorative arts for more than a millennium. Made roots have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. European visitors to China in the 17th century were dazzled by these flowers resembling enormous roses without
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Erected by New York Botanical Garden.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Arts, Letters, Music • Horticulture & Forestry • Science & Medicine.
Location. 40° 51.531′ N, 73° 52.463′ W. Marker is in Bronx, New York, in Bronx County. It is in New York Botanical Garden. It can be reached from the intersection of Southern Boulevard and Xavier Way, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2855 Bronx Park Rd, Bronx NY 10467, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 7, 2025
2. Dolores DeFina Hope Tree Peony Collection Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Judy and Michael Steinhardt Maple Collection (a few steps from this marker); The Genus Acer (a few steps from this marker); Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); A Rose by Any Other Name (within shouting distance of this marker); "Autumnal Tints" (within shouting distance of this marker); Japanese Tree Peonies (within shouting distance of this marker); Restoring a Historic Collection (within shouting distance of this marker); Burn Family Lilac Collection (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bronx.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 112 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 16, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
