Peony of Pitcairn Islands

The Pitcairn Islands are proud to participate in China's 2011 Peony celebrations with the release of this special stamp issue.

The Peony is native to Asia, southern Europe and western North America and is China’s unofficial national flower having been voted the favourite by the people. From February to April China celebrates the Peony with huge displays throughout China especially in Luoyang, in Henan Province.

 

 

There are 25-40 species of Peony, most of which are herbaceous perennial plants growing 0.5 –1.5 metres tall, although some resemble trees up to 3 metres tall.

They have deeply lobed, glossy leaves and large, often fragrant, single or double flowers ranging from red, pink, white to even yellow.