Tree Peony

Botanical Name

Paeonia suffruticosa

Min Zone

Max Zone

Height

3 to 5 feet

Width

3 to 4 feet

Flowers

Spring: pink, white, peach, red, yellow, purple; single, semi-drouble and double

Light

Full sun to part shade

Soil

Moist, well-drained, fertile

Planting & Care

Amend soil with organic matter as needed before planting to provide good drainage
Plant the graft union 3 to 6 inches below soil level to encourage the scion to develop roots
Plants will need protection from strong winds
Unlike herbaceous peony, stems should not be cut back annually
Only occassional pruning of deadwood or suckers is needed
Plants take several years to get established
Provide winter protection in Zones 4 and 5

Problems

Some susceptibility to canker, leaf blight, stem wilt and scale

Varieties

Godaishu - semi-double, white flowers up to 10 inches
Yachiyo-tsubaki - semi-double flowers that are dark pink at the center fading to light pink at the edge
Age of Gold - semi-double yellow flowers
Chromatella - double flowers, golden yellow petals with pink edges