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Moutan Botanical Centre in Vitorchiano: one of the most important collections of tree peonies in Europe
On the outskirts of Vitorchiano, in the Viterbo area of Tuscia (Tuscia viterbese), the Moutan Botanical Centre houses an extensive collection of tree and herbaceous peonies: over 250,000 plants and approximately 600 varieties across 15 hectares of land. "Moutan" derives from the Chinese "Mu Dan", meaning tree peony, a traditional symbol of Chinese culture. Open to the public since 2003, it is a member of the Grandi Giardini Italiani (Great Italian Gardens) network.
A history born in China
The center was founded in the 1990s by Carlo Confidati, a Viterbo entrepreneur who sourced the varieties directly from Chinese provinces before starting the first plantings on the slopes of the Cimini Mountains.
What to see along the paths
Paths wind through shrubs that are over 30 years old, reaching sizes that are remarkable for the European context. The highlights are the Rockii peonies (P. rockii): in the wild, they grow above 2,000 metres; they possess a very intense fragrance and petals that have a dark blotch at the base. The Botanical Centre boasts numerous specimens that are rare elsewhere. Further along, herbaceous peonies cover over one hectare of land, with shades ranging from white to burgundy and coral. Between April and May, the wisterias also bloom, shading the paths and scenting the entire route.
