Once their spectacular frilly blooms have died, the green-leaved shrubs provide an attractive backdrop for other plants.
The plant can live up to 100 years and is cold-hardy from 20 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit.
The scion is a tree-peony cutting that has been grafted onto an herbaceous rootstock.
The Spruce / David Beaulieu
Be sure to plant the graft union at least 2 inches below the soil surface.
Some nurseries recommend more; follow the instructions that come with the plant.
Often, there is a plastic ribbon indicating the recommended planting depth.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Proper depth will promote the establishment of the scion’s root system.
Like the herbaceous peony flowers, tree peonies do not like to betransplantedor planted in pots.
Find a suitable, permanent home in which to establish them when planting.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Tree peonies are very slow growers and may take three years before new plants fully establish and flower.
Once established, they need little maintenance.
Light
Grow tree peonies in full sun to dappled shade.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The flowers may suffer in hot summer sun so providing some shade helps.
Soil
These plants like to grow in well-drained ground, with asoil pHthat is neutral or slightlyalkaline.
They will thrive in aloamy soilfortified with compost, which is also called friable soil.
Tree Peony KinkakuF. D. Richards / Flickr / CC By 2.0
Water
Tree peonies have medium water needs and should not be overwatered.
It’s not a good idea to plant them where they will be watered by lawn sprinklers.
Water deeply after the top 4 inches of soil have dried out.
Tree Peony KinshiNADEJDA2015 / Getty Images
Tree peonies have chilling requirements, so they grow best in regions that experience cold temperatures during the winter.
Many gardeners also like to feed their tree peonies with a foliar spray offish emulsionlater in the season.
However, you should prune the shrub to remove dead branches.
If there are branches that result fromsuckeringfrom the herbaceous rootstock, remove those too.
Avoid pruning in fall, as aboveground growth helps shelter the root system in the winter.
Propagating Tree Peony
Propagating a tree peony can be complicated since it often requires grafting.
Dividing a tree peony requires patience and strength.
The shrub needs the summer to spend energy ripening the seeds.
Do not cut tree peonies back for the winter.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Pests do not generally care about tree peonies.
However, rabbits are notorious for damaging tree peonies in the winter.
Avoid pesticide runoff around a tree peony or it could die.
It does help to know that a tree peony sets its buds in the summer before it blooms.
To encourage blooming for the next year, you’re free to cautiously deadhead this shrub.
Only deadhead after it has bloomed, which should be around June.
Helping the plant spend its energy on new growth and buds meansdeadheading properly.
However, the tighter the bud, the more likely it can recover as the weather warms up.
Never touch frozen buds or they could snap off.
Leggy Shrubs
It’s normal for mature tree peonies to become leggy.
Trim slightly in both the spring after flowering and fall to minimize stress to the shrub and its buds.
Mature Plant Doesn’t Bloom
You may suddenly see a vast decrease in your plant’s blooms.
Check to see if it’s buried deep enough because exposed roots can stress the plant.
Also, ensure your older tree peony is not competing with weeds and other plants for sun and water.
The tree’s blooms will suffer at the hands of the blooming herbaceous peony.
Some tree peonies have been known to reach 7 feet in height.
They are two different plants, though related.
Tree peonies are much larger and bloom two weeks earlier than herbaceous peonies.
Tree peonies prefer some shade while regular peonies need full sunlight.
Though tree peonies like the sun, they are very sensitive to light and won’t bloom as long.
Herbaceous peonies also die back annually while a tree peony has a woody structure that holds up almost year-round.
