Paeonia suffruticosa (Tree peony)

Paeonia suffruticosa Paeonia suffruticosa Photo/Illustration: Scott Phillips



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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Paeonia suffruticosa Common Name: Tree peony Genus: Paeonia
This upright, sparsely branched, woody shrub reaches 4 to 10 feet tall. It's easy to grow but slow-growing. It displays dark green leaves that are blue-green beneath, and large, silken blossoms 6 to 12 inches across in late spring and early summer. The plants maintain a graceful branching structure throughout the winter.
Noteworthy characteristics: Flowers come in a multitude of shapes, colors, and fragrances.
Care: Blooms best in dappled shade, with three to four hours of sunlight. May be grown in full sun with adequate moisture. Transplant in the autumn, 6 weeks before the ground freezes. These plants are heavy feeders and require excellent drainage; plant on a hillside or in a raised bed with plenty of organic matter.
Propagation: Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer or graft in winter. Transplant in the autumn, 6 weeks before the ground freezes.
Problems: Prone to ringspot virus, Verticillium wilt, Botrytis blight, tip blight, leaf blotch, stem rot, Japanese beetles, and nematodes.
Height 6 ft. to 10 ft.
Spread 6 ft. to 10 ft.
Growth Habit Clumps
Growth Pace Slow Grower
Light Part Shade Only
Moisture Dry to Medium
Maintenance Moderate
Characteristics Fragrant Flowers; Showy Flowers
Bloom Time Spring; Summer
Flower Color Pink Flower; Purple/ Lavender Flower; Red Flower; White Flower
Uses Beds and Borders
Style Woodland Garden
Seasonal Interest Winter Interest, Spring Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Shrubs

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