Over the course of 37 years (1915–1953) of breeding Tree Peonies, Mr. A.P. Saunders raised 17,000 seedlings. 'Black Pirate' is one of just 300 he judged as worthy of naming. Exceptional vigor makes it a treasure; you'll love the swashbuckling, semidouble flowers of mahogany red with a black patch at the base of each petal. Blooms in midseason.

The Tree Peony is one of the most glorious shrubs known to horticulture. Its huge, silky flowers are similar to those of herbaceous Peonies. Mature plants reach 4–5ft and carry up to 50 of these exquisite blooms. Tree Peonies grow best in full sun or partial shade (required in the South and warm areas of western Zone 9) and evenly moist but well-drained soil with a pH close to neutral. We ship 3-year-old, grafted, 12–18in bareroot plants. They take a year or two to show what they can do. Hardy, disease- and (best of all) deer-resistant.