Customer Reviews

The Book of Tree Peonies

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"The Book of Tree Peonies," is full of information on tree peonies, starting from the history of tree peonies in China and how they are now grown in Europe and the United States. Author Osti has certainly done his research on tree peonies. He also takes you on his two trips to China searching for tree peonies with Chinese Professor Hong Tao. The Chinese were so impressed with Osti to the point of naming a tree peony species after him. The book features excellent color photography of the beautiful tree peonies by photographers Josh Westrich and Emanuele Coppola who both traveled with Osti to China. There is excellent reading on how to grow tree peonies and how they are cultivated. One section has amazing photography showing how a tree peony starts from a seed. I would have liked to have seen more information in some areas of the book. Sir Peter Smithers was able to bring many tree peonies from China to plant successfully without losing a plant, but the book does not say how or what techniques he used to transport the tree peonies successfully. There are many references about how the Chinese raise the tree peony and use the roots for medicine. The book does not address what medicines are made from the tree peony, what they are used for and if they work. I think many us in the rest of the would want to know and be interested in this information. Such medicines might benefit us too? For some the book may get a bit boring in parts because of the science of naming the tree peony species, but that may add to it's appeal because there is definitley something here for everyone from the botanist to the tree peony grower. "The Book of Tree Peonies," is an excellent book with many wonderful color pictues, fine layout and is well printed. Anyone interested in studying or raising tree peonies needs this book.