When they first appear, they look purplish, but they gradually turn dull green. Paeonia mascula is found on the island of Steep Holme in the Bristol channel; it has a very wide distribution ...

One of the earliest peonies found in Britain is Paeonia mascula, which is often found growing wild near the sites of ancient monasteries, such as Steep Holme on a rocky islet in the Bristol Channel.

Bowl of Beauty' is a celebrated example. • If your soil is dry and well-drained and your garden sunny, Paeonia mascula should thrive. Found from France to Iraq, it makes broad clumps fairly quickly.