Blue-flowering Corydalis, related to poppies, is among the most attractive of spring-blooming perennials. The botanical name means crested lark and refers to the birdlike appearance of the attractive ...

IT’S NOT SURPRISING that tree peonies are the national flower of China. The magnificent flowers can be as big as dinner plates. They come in a wide variety of vibrant colors, and many are fragrant.

“Strokes of genus” is an occasional series that looks at the many varieties and special qualities of a particular genus of Chicago-friendly plants. One of the most elegant and sophisticated ...

Q • I have a tree peony that’s blooming this year — a lovely small pink bloom. But it had large yellow blooms the year I bought it and the subsequent years! What has happened? Write to Chip Tynan at ...