They are all tree peony varieties native to China, but due to different growing environments, their characteristics are also different.
| Rockii Tree Peony | Chinese Tree Peony | |
| Plant figure | Tall and big, usually around 1 m, some can reach 3 m | short and small, generally less than 1 m |
| Stem and trim response | Annual growth of 8-15 cm, with softwood growth of 30-60 cm or higher, more resistant to trim | Annual growth of 5-15 cm, with softwood growth of 20-40 cm, not resistant to trim |
| Leaves | More small leaves(most of them being above 15), little changes in leaf shape | Less small leaves (generally around 9), complex changes in leaf shape |
| Flower color | All varieties have noticeable spots at the base of petals | About 20 to 30 percent of the species have spots at the base of petals, most of them are small and not obvious |
| Flower Fragrance | Strong(one flower could cover 10 other peonies) | Light |
| Flower | Big flower amount, without on-year size phenomenon vertical flower head | Small flower amount, some varieties have on-year size and flower hidden in leaf phenomenon |
| Flower pattern and evolution | Low degree of flower pattern and evolution | High degree of flower pattern and evolution, most varieties are for compounded petals |
| Root | Less changes, more capillary roots | Changes within varieties, less capillary roots |
| Habits and life | Late flowering longer life expectancy strong cold hardiness and drought resistance fewer pests and diseases | Earlier flowering shorter life expectancy with a certain cold hardiness and capability to resist to heat and humidity poor resistance to diseases |
| Breeding | The phenomenon of seedlings back to the ancestors is lighter (high rate of compounded petals) most varieties with compounded petals can be bred, breeding creates new varieties occupying a large space | The phenomenon of seedlings back to the ancestors is grave (higher rate of individual petals) most varieties with compounded petals can not be bred, breeding creates new varieties occupying less space |
| Use | Suitable for seedlings and production of cut flowers | Suitable for seedlings and pot-pourri making |
| Cultivationand distribution | In northern china, almost all gardens have rockii peony. Now it’s a hot topic in China | Earlier known in China |
