Peonies
Botanical name: Paeonia
Peonies
Botanical name: Paeonia
Description
Peonies are perennials that make popular garden plants in cooler temperatures. They are treasured for their attractive and fragrant flowers that range in color, shape, and size. The flowers bloom in late spring and have a short blooming season, which lasts only seven to ten days. Commercially, the cut flowers are sold throughout many regions but are only available during this short time period.
Species of Peonies
Chinese peony 'Paula Fay'
Chinese peony 'Paula Fay' offers fragrant semi-double flowers that are deep pink, magenta, or light bright red color, with yellow centers. It is a Chinese peony cultivar, named by USA plant breeder Orville W. Fay in 1968. These delightful Peonies have many attributes including being deer resistant, rabbit resistant, long blooming well into winter, and attractive to butterflies.
Chinese peony 'Coral Sunset'
Chinese peony 'Coral Sunset' are perennials that make popular garden plants in cooler temperatures. They are treasured for their attractive and fragrant flowers that range in color, shape, and size. The flowers bloom in late spring and have a short blooming season, which lasts only seven to ten days. Commercially, the cut flowers are sold throughout many regions but are only available during this short time period.
Chinese peony 'Walter Mains'
The chinese peony 'Walter Mains' is a popular peony cultivar that has won the Gold Medal from the American Peony Society. The chinese peony 'Walter Mains' is a vigorous peony that blooms from spring to summer. Flowers last up to ten days, making it a useful cut flower. Its parentage is the albiflora x officinalis and the anemoneflora aurea ligulata rosea. Chinese peony 'Walter Mains' is the namesake of its breeder, Walter Mains. It is low maintenance and long-lived with a rare flower form.
Chinese peony 'Blaze'
A quick grower and very early bloomer, the chinese peony 'Blaze' is one of the earliest cultivars in its series to bloom. It is a seedling of the Bravura. With its vivid red color, the chinese peony 'Blaze' is named for its showy flowers. It is also a low-maintenance peony cultivar that is considered pest- and animal-free and well suited to be cut for flower arrangements. It provides an attractive winter interest.
Peony 'Roselette'
Peony 'Roselette' are perennials that make popular garden plants in cooler temperatures. They are treasured for their attractive and fragrant flowers that range in color, shape, and size. The flowers bloom in late spring and have a short blooming season, which lasts only seven to ten days. Commercially, the cut flowers are sold throughout many regions but are only available during this short time period.
Peony 'Miss America'
Peony 'Miss America' buds a blushed pink before it unfolds into semi-double pure white blooms, which is what makes this cultivar really shine. Multi-award-winning and extremely popular, peony 'Miss America' was cultivated as a hybrid and named for its fame-like beauty. Gardeners and critics alike prize this variety for its strong stems, gorgeous flowers, and vigorous growth.
Chinese peony 'Buckeye Belle'
Chinese peony 'Buckeye Belle' is a hybrid cross between Paeonia officinalis and Paeonia lactiflora with unusually bright crimson flowers that have yellow central stamens which an eye-like effect similar to that of the nuts of a buckeye tree. The shade of these red flowers set this hybrid apart from other peonies, which are usually white or various shades of pink.
Chinese peony 'Bu-Te'
The chinese peony 'Bu-Te' is a Japanese-style Paeonia hybrid cultivated for its strong contrast between yellow stamen and white petals. This variant blooms in the middle of the peony season. The flowers grow to a height of 60 to 90 cm and are attractive to butterflies. They are susceptible to peony wilt and honey fungus.
Chinese peony 'Dinner Plate'
Chinese peony 'Dinner Plate' produces a huge flower, which, at 17 cm wide is almost the size of a dinner plate. That's also why it took that name. This rose-like flower is a double flower with serrated and ruffled petals, contrasting with the single, even-petalled flowers of the parent. This showy garden performer is remarkably easy to grow and virtually pest-free.
Chinese peony 'Many Happy Returns'
Chinese peony 'Many Happy Returns' is a Hybrid Peony. It has a bright red festive flower suitable for most anniversaries and celebrations. This showy flower is double-flowered with a cluster of ruffled petals that are much more dramatic than the flowers of the wild peony. An attractive feature of this plant is that the flower does not lose color under direct sunlight.
Chinese peony 'Pink Parfait'
Although similar in appearance to Chinese peony 'Sarah Bernhardt', chinese peony 'Pink Parfait' produces stronger stems, making it more durable in windy weather. It's a common cultivar of the Chinese peony, with more petals and a ruffled appearance. Aptly named, chinese peony 'Pink Parfait' looks good enough to eat.
Chinese peony 'Karen Gray'
Someone must have admired Karen Gray greatly, because the chinese peony 'Karen Gray' named after this mysterious woman is a beautiful flower, admired for its rich red blooms and creamy white stamens. It blooms abundantly, is very disease and pest-resistant, and can last as a cut flower for over a week. This popular cultivar is a low-maintenance staple that can be used in all sorts of gardens.
Chinese peony 'Fancy Nancy'
Chinese peony 'Fancy Nancy' is very fancy indeed, hence the name. This striking plant grows a large, bright pink flower packed with a cluster of pink-white stamens. This color scheme differs markedly from the parent plant, which has less bright petals and yellow stamens. This midseason peony flowers in late spring or early summer. The flowers only last for 7 to 10 days, but they are so pretty, they are worth the wait.
Chinese peony 'Sword Dance'
Chinese peony 'Sword Dance' are perennials that make popular garden plants in cooler temperatures. They are treasured for their attractive and fragrant flowers that range in color, shape, and size. The flowers bloom in late spring and have a short blooming season, which lasts only seven to ten days. Commercially, the cut flowers are sold throughout many regions but are only available during this short time period.
Peony 'Lemon Chiffon'
Peony 'Lemon Chiffon' are perennials that make popular garden plants in cooler temperatures. They are treasured for their attractive and fragrant flowers that range in color, shape, and size. The flowers bloom in late spring and have a short blooming season, which lasts only seven to ten days. Commercially, the cut flowers are sold throughout many regions but are only available during this short time period.
Peony 'Golden Glow'
A cultivar of hybrid peony, peony 'Golden Glow' produces charming, single red-orange flowers borne atop long but sturdy green stems. This plant is noted as being among the earliest hybrid peonies to bloom each year, making it a herald of spring. A popular cultivar, this plant has received the prestigious "American Peony Society Gold Medal" award.
Peony 'Prairie Charm'
A cultivar of peony, peony 'Prairie Charm' is an award-winning variant that boasts medium-sized, semi-double flowers that are a delicate, yellow hue. Slightly fragrant, the flowering season can last around two weeks in late spring and early summer, but in cool climates it may last a couple of weeks longer.
Peony 'Henry Bockstoce'
Peony 'Henry Bockstoce' is a gorgeous peony that stands out for its dark crimson double flowers, round petals, and rose center. This is quite a fragrant peony that blooms profusely. Named after its hybridizer, it is a cross between the lactiflora and officinialis peonies.
Chinese peony 'Flame'
Where most Chinese Peonies have white or pink flowers, the chinese peony 'Flame' is appropriately named for its attention-grabbing flame-red flowers which bloom in late spring and early summer. This popular garden plant is a hardy performer, thriving in full sun or part shade and attracting lots of butterflies.
Paeonia suffruticosa jishanensis
Paeonia suffruticosa jishanensis are perennials that make popular garden plants in cooler temperatures. They are treasured for their attractive and fragrant flowers that range in color, shape, and size. The flowers bloom in late spring and have a short blooming season, which lasts only seven to ten days. Commercially, the cut flowers are sold throughout many regions but are only available during this short time period.
Peony 'America'
A cultivar of peony, peony 'America' is a true show-stopper; with its luminous red petals and golden stamen, it has been described as "the best of the single, red Hybrid Peonies." Mildly fragrant, the flowers are noted for their weather-enduring sturdiness and appear for 7-10 days in late spring to early summer.
Peony 'Garden Treasure'
Peony 'Garden Treasure' is a so-called intersectional or Itoh Peony hybrid cultivar, bred from tree peonies and herbaceous peonies. It was selected for its rich, creamy yellow, semi-double flowers with red highlights in the center. It blooms profusely, producing several blossoms on each stem.
Chinese peony 'Festiva Maxima'
Chinese peony 'Festiva Maxima' was bred and introduced in 1851 by the famous French horticulturalist Auguste Miellez. It has remained a highly popular cultivar for over 150 years, and has won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Chinese peony 'Festiva Maxima' blooms generously and has a sweet fragrance. The strong stalks ensure the flowers will remain sturdy and beautiful even in bad weather.
Chinese peony 'Cheddar Charm'
The cheerful chinese peony 'Cheddar Charm' is a peony named for its bright yellow and white flowers, which remind the onlooker of a delicately formed bit of cheddar cheese! This tall flower produces large blooms which are popular in cut arrangements. It is not interesting to deer or rabbits, but butterflies and bees love it.
Peony 'Julia Rose'
Peony 'Julia Rose' are perennials that make popular garden plants in cooler temperatures. They are treasured for their attractive and fragrant flowers that range in color, shape, and size. The flowers bloom in late spring and have a short blooming season, which lasts only seven to ten days. Commercially, the cut flowers are sold throughout many regions but are only available during this short time period.
Peony 'Cora Louise'
Peony 'Cora Louise' is an Itoh peony cultivar, selected to boast exceptionally large flowers that feature white petals flushed with pink and arranged around prominent golden-yellow stamens. It's a garden favorite due to its magnificent colors, prolific blooming, fragrant flowers, and sturdy stems that don't require stalking. The cultivar was bred by Roger F. Anderson and named after the breeder's grandmother.
Peony 'Claire de Lune'
The peony 'Claire de Lune' variety of peony has a pale yellow flower with dark yellow stamen in the center, and a red stem. It is an herbaceous variety of peony that withers back to ground level in winter. Introduced in 1954, its name is derived from the famed DeBussy composition "Claire de Lune."
Chinese peony 'Karl Rosenfield'
The chinese peony 'Karl Rosenfield' is a double red peony with extra large, vibrant blooms that are cherry-red in color and shaped like a rose. Its bloom time allows gardeners to stagger their peony blooms, as it flowers for seven to ten weeks in the later midseason with a fragrant aroma.
Chinese peony 'Laura Dessert'
Chinese peony 'Laura Dessert' is an early midseason peony developed by Dessert in 1913. It is an enduringly popular cultivar because of its enormous yellow and white blooms, which last for seven to ten days on the plant, or a week as cut flowers. It is a very reliable cultivar, pest and disease-resistant, and it also attracts butterflies to the garden.
Chinese peony 'Lady Alexandra Duff'
Chinese peony 'Lady Alexandra Duff' is named for Lady Alexandra Duff (1891 - 1959), the grandchild of King Edward VII and the 2nd Duchess of Fife. This stunningly pink-flowered peony dates from 1902 and has a large ruffled double flower that contrasts with the single-flowered parent plant. This mid-season peony flowers for just a week to ten days.
Chinese peony 'Miss America'
Chinese peony 'Miss America' are perennials that make popular garden plants in cooler temperatures. They are treasured for their attractive and fragrant flowers that range in color, shape, and size. The flowers bloom in late spring and have a short blooming season, which lasts only seven to ten days. Commercially, the cut flowers are sold throughout many regions but are only available during this short time period.
Chinese peony 'Hermione'
Since 1932, the chinese peony 'Hermione' cultivar, bred from Chinese peony, has been a favorite of gardeners for its rose-like appearance, rich pink colors and frilled petals. This Chinese peony not only brings a touch of elegance to any garden, but it also brings a heavenly scent. Though it is not known why this peony is named 'Hermione,' the name translates to 'well born' in Greek. Anyone who has seen this flower can agree that it is 'well born'.
Chinese peony 'Jan van Leeuwen'
Chinese peony 'Jan van Leeuwen' delights the eye with bowl-shaped satin-white flowers with yellow centers that bloom from late spring to early summer. Foliage is dark green and dense. This is a cultivar of Chinese peony, named after the originator Jan van Leeuwen in 1928. This lovely cultivar is sought after and treasured by peony enthusiasts.
Chinese peony 'Edulis Superba'
'Edulis Superba' translates from the Latin as something along the lines of 'superbly eatable,' but you can't actually eat the plant. It is so-named instead because the bright pink flowers of this peony look delectable. In contrast, the blooms of the parent plant are paler, with single flowers which are far less showy than the opulent double blooms which make chinese peony 'Edulis Superba' a highly-prized garden and cut flower stalwart.
Common peony 'Rosea Plena'
Common peony 'Rosea Plena' are perennials that make popular garden plants in cooler temperatures. They are treasured for their attractive and fragrant flowers that range in color, shape, and size. The flowers bloom in late spring and have a short blooming season, which lasts only seven to ten days. Commercially, the cut flowers are sold throughout many regions but are only available during this short time period.
Common peony 'Rubra Plena'
With showy red flowers, the common peony 'Rubra Plena' is a fast growing, easy to care for peony cultivar. Its nickname the 'Rubra Plena' means 'deep crimson, double flowered', likely due to its vibrant red frilly flowers. With its full dahlia-styled double flowers, the common peony 'Rubra Plena' is a reliable, hardy, and compact clump forming cultivar.
Chinese peony 'Duchesse de Nemours'
Chinese peony 'Duchesse de Nemours' are perennials that make popular garden plants in cooler temperatures. They are treasured for their attractive and fragrant flowers that range in color, shape, and size. The flowers bloom in late spring and have a short blooming season, which lasts only seven to ten days. Commercially, the cut flowers are sold throughout many regions but are only available during this short time period.
Wild peony
The wild peony (Paeonia mascula) only blooms once a year, in late spring, and only for one week. But the stunning red to magenta flowers and dark yellow stamens make it worth the wait. The wild peony is native to Northwest Africa but has been naturalized in places like Britain. Even when not in bloom, the plant is valuable for being both rabbit- and deer-resistant.
California Peony
California Peony (Paeonia californica) is a perennial commonly found in California’s vast meadows and chaparrals. It blooms in early spring with an alluring deep red flower that has a bright yellow center. The california Peony is rarely used in gardens because it requires very dry soil during summer, and normal watering routines will kill it.
Andalusian peony
It is a perennial plant, glabrous, glaucous. It has stems up to 45 cm in height. Bithernate lower leaves, with divisions of 6-12 x 3.5-7 cm, broadly ovate or oblong-elliptic, with an obtuse or truncate base, rarely attenuated, glabrous; the ternada or simple superiors.
Delavay's tree peony
The delavay's tree peony (Paeonia delavayi) is highly prized globally for its combination of hardiness and ornamental qualities. Modern cultivation practices have modified the standard variety and created hundreds of different cultivars all with different colors, flower shapes, and fragrances. Their stems reach an astonishing 2 m tall and tower beautifully over any garden!
Common peony
Common peony (Paeonia officinalis) is an herbaceous perennial native to France, Switzerland and Italy. The common peony is most often planted as an ornamental species in gardens, but still grows in the wild in Europe. This species blooms in late spring in the northern hemisphere. The Rubra Plena cultivar was given the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Chinese peony 'Early Scout'
Chinese peony 'Early Scout' is an award-winning and early blooming Chinese peony cultivar, bred to boast delicate single flowers in a beautiful shade of crimson red. The cultivar is further distinguished by its finely cut leaves, which give the plant a charming feather-like appearance.
Chinese peony 'Pink Hawaiian Coral'
Chinese peony 'Pink Hawaiian Coral' are perennials that make popular garden plants in cooler temperatures. They are treasured for their attractive and fragrant flowers that range in color, shape, and size. The flowers bloom in late spring and have a short blooming season, which lasts only seven to ten days. Commercially, the cut flowers are sold throughout many regions but are only available during this short time period.
Chinese peony 'Whitleyi Major'
Chinese peony 'Whitleyi Major' are perennials that make popular garden plants in cooler temperatures. They are treasured for their attractive and fragrant flowers that range in color, shape, and size. The flowers bloom in late spring and have a short blooming season, which lasts only seven to ten days. Commercially, the cut flowers are sold throughout many regions but are only available during this short time period.
Chinese peony 'Coral Charm'
Chinese peony 'Coral Charm' are perennials that make popular garden plants in cooler temperatures. They are treasured for their attractive and fragrant flowers that range in color, shape, and size. The flowers bloom in late spring and have a short blooming season, which lasts only seven to ten days. Commercially, the cut flowers are sold throughout many regions but are only available during this short time period.
Chinese peony 'Coral Supreme'
Chinese peony 'Coral Supreme' was hybridized by Wissing / Klehm, R.G. and introduced in 1964. This cultivar is among the first peonies to bloom in the season. The flowers are large, semi-double and bowl-shaped, with soft coral-to-salmon-pink petals and a golden yellow heart. The strong stems do not require stalking and make chinese peony 'Coral Supreme' an ideal cut flower.
Chinese peony 'Illini Warrior'
Chinese peony 'Illini Warrior' is an attractive red peony cultivar hybridized by Glasscock-Falk in 1955. The flower is single and cup-shaped, with broad, deep-red petals and contrasting golden stamens. It has a discrete fragrance. The flowers are borne on firm, erect stems and make excellent cut flowers with a long vase life.
Chinese peony 'Scarlett O'Hara'
Chinese peony 'Scarlett O'Hara' was cultivated by Ohara Koson to create fragrant Shin-hanga-style blooms (with an outer ring of deep red petals that surround a yellow center) and is considered one of the most fragrant peonies. It was also bred to create stronger stems that would support the large blossoms. Many gardeners use this as an ornamental plant in flower beds or along a border.
Chinese peony 'Port Royale'
Where Chinese Peony has varied white, pink, or red flowers in its native form chinese peony 'Port Royale' is a showy garden performer with deep burgundy flowers that feature a cluster of spiked petaloids in the flower's center. This plant is named for Port Royale in Jamaica, once a bloody and lawless pirate town.
Chinese peony 'Shirley Temple'
As opposed to its parent, the Festiva Maxima, the chinese peony 'Shirley Temple' - an attractive peony cultivar - makes an excellent cut flower that holds well in vases up to seventeen days. The chinese peony 'Shirley Temple' is early flowering, offers large-sized double blooms, and deer and weather resistance.
Chinese peony 'Monsieur Jules Elie'
Award-winning and one of the most popular peonies of all time, the chinese peony 'Monsieur Jules Elie' is an extremely fragrant, profusely blooming double variant. Cultivated as a peony hybrid, this cultivar was named after the cultivator who created it. Chinese peony 'Monsieur Jules Elie''s prestige comes from its sweet scent, usefulness in bouquets, and reliable growth habit.
Chinese peony 'Martha Bulloch'
Chinese peony 'Martha Bulloch' is one of the best Chinese peony cultivars, selected to boast exceptionally large, double, rose-like pink blossoms. This wonderful cultivar also has sturdy stalks that can withstand strong winds and are able to support blooms after heavy rain.
Chinese peony 'Golly'
Chinese peony 'Golly' is prized for its apple-blossom pink petals that surround a ring of yellow-gold stamens. Above the stamens rests a tuft of light pink petals. Foliage is glossy, emerald green. This is a cultivar of the Chinese peony, which normally has white petals, and was cultivated by William H. Krekler. This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds. The flowers offer a lovely fragrance, making them a popular choice for gardeners.
Chinese peony 'Cora Stubbs'
Chinese peony 'Cora Stubbs' is a type of peony perennial plant that was cultivated to create a unique appearance with an outer ring of flat, bright pink petals that surrounds a spherical center with cream-colored petals. These tall flowers bloom in early summer, and the center changes color to become pinker as it ages. Gardeners often use this as an easy-to-grow ornamental plant.
Chinese peony 'Clown'
Chinese peony 'Clown' is bred from the peony plant. It has a uniquely dramatic rose-pink flower with white edging at the petal tips and a beautiful cluster of golden stamens in the flower's center. The plant is popular for its profuse and lovely blooms, pretty scent, and attractive surrounding foliage.
Peony 'Show Girl'
Peony 'Show Girl' is a hybrid Peony cultivar noted for its spectacular blossoms. This peony cultivar was bred to have large, cup-shaped, anemone-like flowers with intense pink petals and bright yellow stamens. They are particularly attractive as they have extra pink petals in the center as well.
Paeonia rockii
Paeonia rockii are perennials that make popular garden plants in cooler temperatures. They are treasured for their attractive and fragrant flowers that range in color, shape, and size. The flowers bloom in late spring and have a short blooming season, which lasts only seven to ten days. Commercially, the cut flowers are sold throughout many regions but are only available during this short time period.
Chinese peony 'Bowl of Beauty'
Chinese peony 'Bowl of Beauty' are perennials that make popular garden plants in cooler temperatures. They are treasured for their attractive and fragrant flowers that range in color, shape, and size. The flowers bloom in late spring and have a short blooming season, which lasts only seven to ten days. Commercially, the cut flowers are sold throughout many regions but are only available during this short time period.
Chinese peony 'Do Tell'
The chinese peony 'Do Tell' is a type of peony bred to have striking pink and yellow flowers, and also to be a hardy and easy-to-grow choice for gardeners. They grow to a height of 60 to 90 cm and are attractive to butterflies. They are susceptible to peony wilt.
Chinese peony 'Kansas'
The chinese peony 'Kansas' was created from the original Chinese peony to have stronger stems that can bear the plant's bright crimson blooms. A double bloom plant, its color is very bright and stays that way even in the sunshine. For all its color and beauty, this cultivar also offers a hardiness and vigorous growth.
Chinese peony 'Adolphe Rousseau'
Chinese peony 'Adolphe Rousseau' are perennials that make popular garden plants in cooler temperatures. They are treasured for their attractive and fragrant flowers that range in color, shape, and size. The flowers bloom in late spring and have a short blooming season, which lasts only seven to ten days. Commercially, the cut flowers are sold throughout many regions but are only available during this short time period.
Peony 'First Arrival'
Peony 'First Arrival' are perennials that make popular garden plants in cooler temperatures. They are treasured for their attractive and fragrant flowers that range in color, shape, and size. The flowers bloom in late spring and have a short blooming season, which lasts only seven to ten days. Commercially, the cut flowers are sold throughout many regions but are only available during this short time period.
Peony 'Bartzella'
Peony 'Bartzella' is a beautiful peony considered by many to be the most perfect yellow-flowered of all the peonies. Bred by Roger Anderson, it is named for a friend of his. This intersectional peony is large than native peonies and features uniquely colored flowers, ideal for a landscape plant.
Chinese peony 'Mother's Choice'
Chinese peony 'Mother's Choice' is an award-winning Chinese peony cultivar noted for its gorgeous, rose-like, double white blossoms with the petals faintly blushed with pink and centers tinged with cream and yellow. The cultivar is particularly prized among gardeners for its strong stems that support the large blossoms.
Chinese peony 'Angel Cheeks'
When it comes to chinese peony 'Angel Cheeks', the raspberry pink, ruffled flowers really steal the show. Growing two to a stem, they differentiate it from its parent plant (the Chinese peony), which has bowl-shaped blooms of a deep crimson. Given the name "Angel Cheeks" for the delicacy and color of its blooms, this peony cultivar is a gardener's dream.
Chinese peony 'Pillow Talk'
Chinese peony 'Pillow Talk' has fluffy, soft pink petals that grow up to 13 cm. Flowers have sturdy stems, lending to their use as cut flowers. The flowers also have a pleasant fragrance. This cultivar is derived from unknown seedlings of Paeonia lactiflora.
Brown's peony
Brown's peony (Paeonia brownii) is a drought-tolerant perennial that is native to the western United States. It produces small maroon flowers that are pollinated by wasps and bees. The seeds feed local wildlife, such as chipmunks and mice.
Tree peony
The tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) is a flowering shrub that originated in China. Contrary to its name, it doesn't resemble a tall tree, but rather a growing shrub or bush. The tree peony is very important in Chinese literature, culture, and art, and has been depicted in many valuable paintings.
Woodland peony
Native to Asia, this charming peony has gained worldwide popularity as a garden plant. When the spent flowers are left on their stalks, they turn into spectacular star-shaped seedpods, revealing black, glossy, pearl-like seeds. It's a deer-resistant plant, quite suitable for those gardens that are often visited by wildlife.
Peregrina Peony
Peregrina Peony is widely known for its cup-shaped dark red flowers. These flowers grow apart from one another with very thick stigmas and filaments. It is mostly seen in forests and is less likely to be in areas with a lot of grass.
Chinese peony
Chinese peony is a perennial herbaceous bushy plant native to central and eastern Asia. It is highly regarded for its lush, white, pink, or crimson rose-like flowers, with pronounced yellow stamens. White chinese peony was first introduced to England in the mid-18th century, and today there are several hundred cultivars common in temperate gardens around the world.
Scientific Classification
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