Paeonia lactiflora is native to central and eastern Asia, from eastern Tibet across northern China to eastern Siberia. Ants often visit the buds for nectar, which is harmless. Plants can live for decades and may not flower for a year or two after being moved.
It has been grown as an ornamental in China since the 7th century and is called the Minister of Flowers there, while the tree peony is the King of Flowers. It reached England in the mid-18th century as the white peony, Paeonia albiflora, and became the parent of most modern garden peonies. The epithet lactiflora means with milk-white flowers.