Paeonia suffruticosa

Paeonia suffruticosa (Tree Peony)

Elevate your garden with the majestic and opulent beauty of Paeonia suffruticosa, the revered Tree Peony. Unlike its herbaceous cousins, this is a deciduous shrub with a woody framework that provides year-round structure. In late spring, it offers a breathtaking, show-stopping display of colossal, often fragrant flowers that can reach an astonishing 25cm across. The silky, sumptuous blooms, ranging in colours from pristine white and blush pink to deep crimson and regal purple, sit gracefully atop its sturdy stems. A true long-term investment for any discerning gardener, the Tree Peony is a living masterpiece that promises to grace your landscape for generations.

Plant Placement Area:

• Full sun to partial shade: For the most abundant flowering, a sunny, sheltered location is best, receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Partial shade can help protect the flowers from scorching in hot climates.

• Sheltered location: Place in a spot protected from strong winds, which can damage its large, delicate blooms and break its new growth.

• Deep, well-drained soil: Prefers a deep, fertile, humus-rich soil that drains exceptionally well. It will not tolerate heavy, waterlogged conditions.

• Permanent spot: This is a long-lived plant that resents being moved, so choose its location carefully.

Benefits:

• Spectacular, large blooms: Its most dramatic feature is the size and beauty of its flowers, which are much larger than those of herbaceous peonies.

• Long-lived: A true investment plant that can live for decades or even a century with proper care.

• Early summer interest: Provides a stunning floral display in late spring, bridging the gap between spring bulbs and summer perennials.

• Structural plant: The woody stems provide a structural, architectural presence in the garden throughout the year.

• Low maintenance once established: Requires minimal pruning and care after its first few years in the ground.

Watering Tips:

• Establishment phase: Water regularly and deeply during the first few growing seasons to help it establish a strong root system.

• Established plants: Once settled, it is relatively drought-tolerant. However, supplemental watering during prolonged dry spells will ensure the best performance.

• Avoid overwatering: Ensure the soil is well-drained, as soggy roots are the main cause of problems.

Care Tips:

• Planting: Plant slightly deeper than it was in its pot, with the graft union (the swollen part at the base) buried 5-10cm (2-4 inches) below the soil line. This encourages the plant to form its own roots.

• Pruning: Pruning is minimal. Only remove dead, damaged, or diseased wood in late winter or early spring. Avoid cutting back healthy woody stems.

• Fertilizing: Apply a low-nitrogen, high-potash fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which encourage foliage at the expense of flowers.

• Mulching: Apply a mulch of well-rotted compost or manure in spring to conserve moisture and feed the soil. Keep the mulch away from the base of the stems.

• Protect new growth: In areas prone to late frosts, cover the plant with fleece in early spring if new growth has started to emerge.

Light Level:

• Full Sun to Partial Shade: Best flowering occurs with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.

• Avoid Deep Shade: Insufficient light will lead to sparse, weak growth and few or no flowers.

Toxicity:

• Toxic to pets and humans: All parts of the plant, including the roots, bark, and flowers, contain paeonol and other compounds that are toxic if ingested and can cause gastrointestinal distress, vomiting, and other symptoms. Keep out of reach of curious children and pets.

Metafields for Paeonia suffruticosa

• Plant Characteristics:

  • Value: Deciduous Shrub, Large Flowers, Woody Stems, Long-Lived, Fragrant, Showy Blooms

• Class:

  • Value: Flowering Shrub, Ornamental Shrub, Perennial

• Suitable Space:

  • Value: Sunny Border, Rock Garden, Specimen Plant, Courtyard, Cottage Garden

• Sunlight:

  • Value: Full Sun, Partial Shade

• Tag:

  • Value: Outdoor Plant, Spring Bloom, Statement Plant, Low Maintenance, Long-Lived, Elegant, Architectural