Tree Peony
Paeonia suffruticosa
Hardy to Zone 3
Bloom Time - Early spring (late March to early April)
Foliage - Deciduous, large dull green divided leaves.
Flower - Large, spectacular, semi-double to double blossoms in colors of red, pink, yellow, purple, orange and white.
Size - 3-6 ft. in height
Exposure - Full sun to partial shade (afternoon shade is ideal)
Culture - Patience is required to grow tree peonies - they are extremely slow growing and many take several years for blooms to appear. Unlike the herbaceous peony, tree peonies grow on woody stems that do not die back in the winter.
Tree peonies should be planted in the fall (preferably September and October). Choose your site carefully because they do not like to be moved once planted. Dig a generous hole 12 to 18 inches deep and 18 inches wide. Add organic matter such as well-aged manure or compost to the bottom of the hole and mix well with the original soil. Mix in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of a general 10-10-10 fertilizer. Some gardeners like to add a handful of super phosphate or bone meal as well. Plant a tree peony tuber with 4 to 5 inches of soil covering the graft. The graft can be recognized by the ridge on the stem and a difference in bark texture. Deep planting allows the graft to develop its own root system. Container bought tree peonies should be planted at the same level as in the pot. Mulch very lightly (don't over-do the mulch because they need the cold temperatures to develop flowers). Renew your mulch in the spring - a light sprinkling of aged manure is excellent. Do not prune except to remove dead stems and spent flowers.
No flowers? Some tree peonies need several years to get established before setting blooms. If you still don't have blooms after 3 or 4 years, any of the following problems could be the culprit: the plant could be too young; it was planted too deeply or too shallowly; flower buds were killed by a late freeze; it has been recently moved or transplanted; the weather is too hot. Whatever the reason, don't give up and keep trying - the flowers are definitely worth the wait!
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Bloom Time - Early spring (late March to early April)
Foliage - Deciduous, large dull green divided leaves.
Flower - Large, spectacular, semi-double to double blossoms in colors of red, pink, yellow, purple, orange and white.
Size - 3-6 ft. in height
Exposure - Full sun to partial shade (afternoon shade is ideal)
Culture - Patience is required to grow tree peonies - they are extremely slow growing and many take several years for blooms to appear. Unlike the herbaceous peony, tree peonies grow on woody stems that do not die back in the winter.
Tree peonies should be planted in the fall (preferably September and October). Choose your site carefully because they do not like to be moved once planted. Dig a generous hole 12 to 18 inches deep and 18 inches wide. Add organic matter such as well-aged manure or compost to the bottom of the hole and mix well with the original soil. Mix in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of a general 10-10-10 fertilizer. Some gardeners like to add a handful of super phosphate or bone meal as well. Plant a tree peony tuber with 4 to 5 inches of soil covering the graft. The graft can be recognized by the ridge on the stem and a difference in bark texture. Deep planting allows the graft to develop its own root system. Container bought tree peonies should be planted at the same level as in the pot. Mulch very lightly (don't over-do the mulch because they need the cold temperatures to develop flowers). Renew your mulch in the spring - a light sprinkling of aged manure is excellent. Do not prune except to remove dead stems and spent flowers.
No flowers? Some tree peonies need several years to get established before setting blooms. If you still don't have blooms after 3 or 4 years, any of the following problems could be the culprit: the plant could be too young; it was planted too deeply or too shallowly; flower buds were killed by a late freeze; it has been recently moved or transplanted; the weather is too hot. Whatever the reason, don't give up and keep trying - the flowers are definitely worth the wait!
Back to Trees & Shrubs