Kotobuki Bussan 2000:

Shimatsubeni. Japan. Japanese suffruticosa. Shimatsubeni has huge full formed red semi-double flowers with petals that are highly ruffled. Flowers can reach 10 inches in diameter. The coloration is not as bright as Taiyo, but deeper and does not fade like so many of the other reds. Plants reach a height of around 4 feet in Wisconsin and have excellent hardy stems. It must be planted in a well ventilated area to prevent disease, like all of the other suffruticosas. Plants have excellent foliage and are consistent bloomers each year. This is the best red suffruticosa in our opinion for form and color. Shimatsubeni is rarely available and is an outstanding plant for the collector of fine peonies.