Peony.

Could it be something else? It doesn't have the shape of a peony bush.

It is definitely a peony. They are not bushes but herbaceous perennials and their shape is a function of their age and health. A bit like human beings.

also look up the shape of tree peony ... those are much different in habit than the usual suspects ...and dont get confused.. they arent trees.. lol ...

ken

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=tree+peony&t=ffcm&iax=1&ia=images

Good eyes, Ken. On closer inspection you can see the trunk. It's a tree peony.

Yes, tree peony.

You guys are great! thank you for all the help!

I think it's a tree peony too from Ken's link, here's the photo.

I'm not sure what's happening with the flower though.

The flowers are finished. You're looking at the seed pods. There's a fava bean on the ground in front of it. Is this garden a mixed edible and ornamental one,since you also found Arugula and Sorrel?

lol.. yeah the pic above.. kind of nails it ... lol..

even a blind squirrel can find a nut once in a while.. i win ... lol ...

peony is a very large horseradish like root [though honestly i dont know about tree peony roots] .. that takes years to mature to flowering size .. im not aware of many peeps who grow them from seed .. so i would remove the seed pods ....

ken

"so i would remove the seed pods ...."

Totally up to the OP. There is no downside to retain them. Some find them aesthetically interesting. If growing the herbaceous P. japonica, retaining the seed pods is a must if you want to enjoy the contrasting sky blue (fertile) and red (non-fertile) seeds as the pods open in fall.

floral_uk: good eye that you saw the fava been, yep, it's a mixed edible and ornamental garden that's been left untended for a long time. I'm going to post a photo soon regarding the fava beens because although we had them in salad a couple of days ago and they tasted great, the exterior of the plant is completely infested with black aphids and I want to see if I can get rid of them or if I have to get rid of the plant.

I think I'll get rid of the seeds, it would be nice to see it bloom one year!

Favas often get blackfly. I just leave them be and the ladybugs come along and deal with them. But you do have to hold your nerve while you wait. Otherwise you can just blast them off with the hose. Pinching out the tops of the plants is helpful since they particularly like the soft fresh tips. You do not have to get rid of the plant. It will get removed anyway when the beans are finished and you clean up the plot.

That's perfect, thank you floral_uk

Blackfly = Aphids

fyi

Yes, sorry, common nomenclature for the black bean aphids over here. Not true flies at all. I forgot you have blackflies which are flies.