Any help to identify this would be much appreciated...

[c & c]

We live in the Pittsburgh area and a couple of years ago we had a plant start growing in the middle of one of our beds. No idea what is, but we decided to let it go. Had no idea it would flower, but a bud appeared a few weeks ago and just started to bloom in the past day or so.

Any help you can provide to identify what this is would be very much appreciated!

[told2b]

Paeonia officinalis, Common peony

[rainbowgardener]

Yup, and what a beauty! Nice gift to have just "pop up" in your yard!

[c & c]

Awesome. Thank you both!!!

[ButterflyLady29]

It's a horrible weed which you should dig up and send to me!

What a beautiful Peony! I don't know the variety name but it's an old one. It should have a lovely scent also. I love to cut my peony flowers and bring them inside so they can perfume the whole house. Unfortunately rain ruins the petals. The pink and red flowers hold up better than the white ones.

[rainbowgardener]

And they are very easy care and extremely long lived. It will slowly spread into a bigger colony, but does not pop up anywhere else or take over your yard. And if your grandchildren grow up and inherit your house, the peony may still be growing there!