OOne of China's most revered plants is the Peony and the Portland Classical Chinese Garden will showcase this plant with its' Passion for Peonies; May 17 & 18.  On Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, fresh cut peonies, bouquet or single stems, will be available outside the Entrance Terrace.  All day, both days, there will be an herbaceous peony sale with plants from Adelman Peony Gardens in Salem.    

Special event on Saturday, 10am & 2pm, and on Sunday at 2pm only, Carol Adelman will speak on 'History and Care of Herbaceous Peonies'.  This event is free with Garden admission.

Also, all day, both days, there will be a cut peony display provided by the Northwest Peony Society.

References to the peony as 'King of Flowers' have been found as far back as 7th Century BC.  Peony cultivars were fiercely coveted and demanded huge sums of money among the elite of China.  Over the years the peony came to represent honor, wealth and rank; a far cry from its humble beginning as a medicinal plant used for treating respiratory and blood diseases.

A special feature on both days will be Peony Tea offered at The Teahouse, which is operated by The Tao of Tea.