The tree peonies here are native to western China. Unlike commonly known peonies, they are shrubby, with woody stems (in China, called King of Flowers).
Background plantings of deciduous flowering shrubs include Weigela, Mock Orange, Kolkwitzia and Deutzia, which were popular in Victorian times.
The Memory Bench in the Peony Garden is encircled by Canadian hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis).
Family ashes were to have been placed in small vaults on each side of the bench, but they never were. Vandals have stolen the bronze plates that covered the vaults.