Chinese for “tree peony,” or “mudan,” these long-lived, woody, deciduous shrubs are indigenous to China and may be grown in USDA zones 4-9. The cultivated tree peony, Paeonia suffruticosa, is genetically descended from a number of wild species. The size, color, and scent of tree peony’ mid- to late-spring blossoms are unmatched. A mature tree peony, despite its fairly slow growth, can produce over fifty 8–10″ flowers that bloom for around two weeks. Once grown, tree peonies are reasonably drought tolerant and resistant to deer. Plant on healthy soil with good drainage and 5 to 6 hours of sun. Tree peony do not receive an autumn pruning and instead bloom on “aged wood.” For additional details on tree peony maintenance and their lengthy history as cultivated plants, see our Learn section.
Please be aware that some items now have additional stock and can be ordered for fall shipping.
We have already sold out of our initial stock of a plant if it is currently categorized as “coming soon.”
If you were unable to order your preferred variety at this time, we will announce additional availability as we monitor the crop’s development during the growing season.
Most likely, once we dig the plants in early September and again in the coming weeks, we will be able to add a few things. Please re-register for a notice using the “email me when available” box on particular product pages if you want to be informed when there is more inventory available for particular cultivars.
Are peony a deciduous or evergreen plant?
Perennial peonies called herbaceous peonies fade back to the ground every year. The plant stems push up in the spring while the roots remain dormant beneath the dirt. Woody, deciduous shrub peonies are called tree peony. They shed their foliage in the fall, but unlike herbaceous peony, their woody branches do not die back to the ground. Itoh peonies are a hybrid cross between herbaceous and tree peonies; while they do die down to the ground in the fall like herbaceous peonies, they exhibit tree peony-like growth and flowering traits.
Before they became beloved ornamentals, tree peony, which are native to China, were prized as a therapeutic plant. A tree peony can reach a height and width of up to five feet (1.5 meters) in around ten years and is a larger, woodier relative of the ordinary herbaceous peony. They are widely coveted for their huge, prodigious blooms, which can reach a diameter of up to 10 inches (25+ cm).
These blooms occur in single or double shapes and bloom from late spring to early summer. They are great cut flowers. Tree peony do not produce the sweet honeydew sap that herbaceous peonies do, which is what draws ants to their flower buds.
A tree peony: perennial or annual?
Woody perennial shrubs called tree peonies are. After woodland peonies but before herbaceous peonies, they bloom in the early spring. They have enormous dinner-plate-sized flowers on up to 7-foot-tall stems that are supported by their woody structure. Tree peony may tolerate full sun, but they prefer dappled light to grow. After blooming, tree peonies provide the garden structure with their deep green summer foliage that turns bronze and purple in the fall. These deer-resistant plants are native to China and have been grown there for millennia. They do well in zones 4-9. In zone 4 during especially hard winters, some die-back might happen. A tree peony’s annual growth of new woody growth ranges from 1 to 6 inches. They need soil that drains well. a landscape-friendly plant. regal, uncommon, breath-taking blossoms, truly amazing.
Where should a tree peony be planted?
Autumn is the ideal time to grow tree peony, but planting in winter or early spring is also acceptable. Avoid planting in the summer and late spring since the hot, dry weather will make it difficult for plants to establish.
Where to plant
- Place your plant in a sunny or gently shaded area.
- Although tree peony are fairly resilient, avoid late frost pockets because they can harm the leaves and bloom buds.
- To avoid wind damage to flowers and foliage, choose a sheltered area.
- Although they will tolerate slightly acidic or slightly alkaline soils, tree peonies prefer neutral, humus-rich, well-drained soils. Most soils can be sufficiently improved by adding organic matter, such as garden compost or well-rotted manure, but those that are too acidic or alkaline may continue to be unsuitable.
Is it necessary to trim back tree peony in the fall?
The ideal time to prune a mature tree peony is in the early spring. In the zone 6 area below, the best time to do this is after the buds have started to swell but before new growth has started. Pruning can be done in the fall or winter in zones 7 and above when there is little risk of winter damage.
Once the buds have started to swell a bit, prune tree peony. In this manner, it is clear whether a bud is alive or not. This often happens in late March in New England.
A pair of bypass pruners and a small pruning saw are suggested tools. Ensure that they are precise!
Cut off the branch at the nearest live bud when pruning a branch that still contains some healthy buds. Just above the first living bud, the incision should be made with an angle that slopes away from the bud. This makes it easier for water to flow off and promotes faster healing.
shoddy pruning cut The dead wood above the bud is sticking out too far. This does not encourage effective recovery.
Examine the plant’s base after you’ve cut back the upper branches. Spindly inner growth frequently passes away, and this dead wood needs to be removed.
After all the dead wood has been taken out, check the plant for any small, spindly growth. These incredibly tiny side branches should be cut off if the plant is healthy and growing nicely. They are often located within the plant. They won’t grow flowers and only obstruct airflow.
Finally, eliminate all pruning from the garden since they can contain fungus spores.
Do tree peonies experience winter dieback?
Tree peony are actually small bushes, not trees, and they bloom in May and June with stunning goblet-shaped flowers. Tree peonies are higher and maintain a constant framework throughout the year, in contrast to herbaceous peonies, which die back every year.
How to grow tree peonies
In the fall, plant tree peonies in wet, well-drained soil in a location that receives some to all of the shade. Except for those that remain quite moist over the winter or are on the acidic side, most soils are good. When buying, plant them somewhat deeper than the soil level in their container.
Cut off any suckers that you notice at the base of your tree peonies because they are growing from the rootstock and will look different from the rest of the plant.
How big can a tree peony grow?
No garden should be without the majestic, long-lasting woody shrubs known as tree peonies. Some types have plants that can produce fragrant flowers up to 10 inches in diameter and grow to heights of 45. Tree peonies are hardy from Zones 4 to 8, do well in the Northeast and Midwest, and flourish in climates with cold winters and hot summers. Tree peonies can be forced into dormancy by gardening in Zone 9: remove all foliage in November, leaving the woody stems, and do not water or fertilize. Hopefully, this will cause the plant to develop blossom buds.
Tree peonies may take three years to develop and begin blooming, so they are not a plant for the impatient gardener. Also keep in mind that it could take several seasons for a new plant’s flowers to bloom to their full potential. Having said that, there is nothing quite like a Tree Peony in full bloom; it is a breathtaking sight.
Before they blossom, Tree Peonies require some time to acclimate; it’s not uncommon for a plant to hold off until its third spring. Additionally, the first spring following planting, Tree Peonies may take longer to emerge from dormancy. Although your plant might appear to be dead while its neighbors are coming to life, it will soon reawaken.
Light/Watering: Flowers need some light protection from the sweltering afternoon sun. In China and Japan, little parasols are used to screen the plants from the sun. Plant tree peonies where they will be shielded from the winter and summer winds that can dry them out. Once established, Tree Peonies are exceptionally drought tolerant. Avoid overwatering plants, and keep them away from automatic irrigation systems. Prior to heavily watering, allow the soil to dry to a pH of 4. The roots will be killed by excessive watering, which is a common cause of failure.
Tree peonies require fertilized soil with a pH that is somewhat above neutral or close to neutral. When planting, add a few handfuls of lime if your soil is acidic. Remove the green plastic ribbon that is wrapped around the stem’s main portion before planting the plant at the depth specified by the ribbon. In order to stimulate the scion to develop its own roots if the ribbon has become dislodged, plant the top of the graft union, which is visible as a bulge on the main stem, approximately 46 below the soil’s surface. In the spring, topdress plants with an inch of aged manure or compost. During the growing season, foliar feeding with fish emulsion is beneficial.
Pests/diseases: On rare cases, you might discover a boring insect-caused hole in the wooden stem. Using a thin wire or by just cutting out the troublesome part, you might be able to kill the larva in the tunnel. Like Herbaceous Peonies, Tree Peonies may contract fungal infections that result in leaf blackening and wilting. As soon as unhealthy foliage is seen, it should be removed. In the fall, make sure to pick up any plant pieces that have fallen. Spray with a fungicide early in the spring and repeat the treatments for a few weeks if fungal diseases start to be an issue. Deadhead flowers regularly and avoid letting dropped petals get stuck in the plant or on the ground.
Companions for Tree Peonies are Hellebores, Alchemilla, Leucojum, Epimedium, and Siberian Irises. Underplant with bulbs that bloom in the spring if your plants have a tendency to be leggy.
Pruning: Unlike their herbaceous siblings, Tree Peonies should never be cut back to the ground. After plants have flowered, remove any broken or damaged stems by pruning. Once your plant has matured and is thriving, you might wish to make a small opening in the center to promote flowering on the taller stems and improve airflow. When Tree Peonies are grafted into Herbaceous Peony roots, the rootstock will occasionally send up a shoot from the plant’s base. These need to be taken out right away.
Dividing/Transplanting: Tree Peonies do not require division, and it is impossible to do it with numerous plants. When dormant, young plants can be transplanted; when digging the plant, try to keep as much soil around the roots as you can.
End-of-Season Care: After a deadly frost, remove all leaves, including leaf petioles, and dump it elsewhere, not in the compost pile. Mulched new plants should also have burlap or another material wrapped around them to block winter winds in the coldest climates.
Topdress plants with an inch of old manure or compost in the early spring. Keep an eye out for symptoms of a fungus infection and administer treatment as necessary. Remove any shoots that appear from the rootstock.
Mid-Spring: Due to their heavy blossoms, certain types may require assistance. To increase airflow, thin out any foliage that is too densely packed inside the plant.
Avoid overwatering in the late spring. Deadhead blooming promptly, and take out old flowers and petals from the garden.
In the summer, water plants only when the earth has dried to a depth of four inches. Fish emulsion feeding of the foliage is preferred.
Fall: Tree Peonies are woody shrubs; do not cut them back. After the first frost, remove all foliage; do not compost. Mulch newly planted vegetation and vegetation produced in colder climates, and if brisk winter winds are predicted, wrap vegetation in burlap or another windproof material.
How are tree peonies prepared for winter?
The plant’s stems will be safeguarded if you wrap it in burlap in the late fall if you reside in a chilly environment. Don’t remove the roots of tree peony. If this does occur, there shouldn’t be any long-term harm, and the plant will quickly recover.
After flowering, what should tree peony be used for?
Enjoy this tree peony’s stunning lime green and cream blooms from April to June.
It might take a while for tree peony to establish themselves, so it’s best to let new plants alone for the first few years. After that, they only need deadheading and any dead wood removed, and that’s about it in far of pruning. Use loppers, a pruning saw, and a good set of secateurs.
Deadhead the flowering shoots in the summer once the blossoms have faded. Leave some of the faded blossoms until the fall if you want to collect seed.
Tree peony can overrun their designated space, and aged wood may become lanky or unproductive, as is the case with many long-lived shrubs. If so, diligent pruning can shrink the plant’s size and give it new life.
Before new growth begins in the spring is the ideal time to prune a tree peony since this will encourage the shrub to grow back robustly. This does necessitate the loss of some of the blossoms from that year, though. Pruning your shrub in the fall will prevent blossom loss, but you should expect a slower rate of regrowth.
The duration of tree peony blooms
Gardeners simply can’t get enough of peonies’ enormous, sultry flowers, which are a mainstay of perennial borders. It’s understandable why we would wish to prolong the blooming season of these exquisite charmers if they also had a nice, seductive aroma.
Peonies are incredibly resilient to pests, have a long lifespan, and need little maintenance to produce vibrant flowers. The only issue peony farmers have is that they wish they had more time to enjoy those magnificent flowers. Let’s look at several ways to prolong peony blooming in your garden.
Peonies can bloom for over a century, almost by magic. Every plant will produce several flowers, and each bloom lasts for about 7 to 10 days. Planting kinds of peonies that bloom at various times during the about 6-week period of proficient flowering is the easy trick to extending peony blooming in your garden. Since different varieties bloom at various periods of the year, we have neatly categorized them as early, early-mid, mid, and late season. So now that you have mastered prolonging the peony blooming season, let’s take a closer look at each type.