What is this 40+ year old plant?

Hello! Could someone please identify this plant? It is over 40 years old and has been growing in the same location. I moved to the house in 1968 and the plant was growing in its present location then. It flowers every year around May. It has a large tuber. I have attached a photo taken today 20/05/2012

 

It's a peony

Dave

 

Yes, indeed a paeony - but do not be tempted to try to move it as these plants really don't like disturbance. We have a very similar one which has probably been in the same place for at least as long as yours.



a-a

 

The replanting of Paeonies and them not flowering for years is a perennial discussion point. And it is annoying that so many people have so much trouble moving them. They will flower very soon after moving IF they are moved at the proper time, in the proper way and planted with the top of the tuber no more than 1 inch below soil level or even above it. We have moved our plants around on many occasions to find the best position for them and never missed more than a seasons flowering.

 

Just a newbie here but don't you have to dig them up to divide / propagate them?
Mine from planting took 3 years to flower and produced seeds last year, but I read
Somewhere that again These can take unto 5 years to flower from seeds hence the reason
For dividing the crown.

I would like to divide mine as they are a great flower but just worried about it flowering
Again :(

 

Many thanks for the replies.

 

I got a Peony off free cycle last year (around June/July) and it had been dug up quite roughly, the spade slicing through the tuber, but I potted it up and cut it back; as the leaves and stems were all damaged anyway, I left the tuber just marginally below the surface and it came into to growth this spring with no problems at all and has produced 3 large flowers...