Plant Min Zone: 4a
Plant Max Zone: 8a
Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Sun
Water / Rainfall: Average, High
Soil Quality: Rich
Bloom Season: Early Spring
Flower Color: Mixed Colors
Berry / Fruit Color: Bluish Black
Spring Foliage Color: Bluish Green
Summer Foliage Color: Mint Green, Bluish Green
Fall Foliage Color: Green, Brown-Beige
Evergreen Foliage: No
Winter Interest: No
Scented Flowers: Yes
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Low
Humidity Tolerance: Medium
Wind Tolerance: Medium
Poor Soil Tolerance: No Extreme Soils
Height: 3' - 4'
Width: 3' - 4'
Growth Rate: Slow, Extremely Slow
Service Life: Extremely long: over 20 years
Maintenance Need: Low
Spreading Potential: Extremely Low
Yearly Trimming Tips: Slow Growing Shrub: No Trimming Needed for Many Years.
Plant Grouping Size: Specimen Planting of 1-3
Best Side of House: South Exposure, East Exposure, North Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Survives Severe Drought, Resistant to Rabbits
Ornamental Features: Emerges Early in Spring
Special Landscape Uses: None
Possible Pest Problems: None
Plant Limitations: Needs Thick Winter Mulch, Short / Unreliable Blooming Season, Susceptible to Juglone / Black Walnut
Tree Peonies (Paeonia suffruiticosa) are larger, woody relatives of the common herbaceous (perennial) peony. It does not die to the ground each winter, instead growing up to 3-5 feet after many years. Tree peonies have been in culture in China for millennia. Most "tree" peonies are really just shrubs and are grafted to the rootstock of herbaceous peonies. Peonies, along with roses are one of the most universally well-known flowers. The toughness and durability of this plant can be seen in cemeteries or around abandoned houses, surviving decades even 100 years or more without care. Both tree and herbaceous peonies are native to China in cold continental climate areas but also do well in Kansas. Large flowers come in different shades of white, red, and pink. Blooming only lasts about 3-7 days and can be short-lived if a thunderstorm happens during the second day of blooming when petals are fully open. The foliage is especially attractive in spring when unfurling into a flat, rich green and remains attractive throughout summer. Usually, by early fall, foliage is tattered from drought stress and diseases with no appreciable fall color. This has no ill effect on the health of the plant as it is already set its growth buds for next year. In northern areas (USDA zones 3-6), Peony foliage lasts all summer and turns brilliant red and orange colors in the fall. Due to its need for cold winters, peonies will not grow well further south than zone 8b. Due to its cold tolerance, peonies may be grown in above-ground pots or raised planters year-round. Ultra cold-hardy plants from northern climates normally dislike our long hot humid summers; although we are on the Southern edge of this plant's adaptability, it still survives reasonably well here. Several have been alive for over 15 years and bloom like clockwork each spring here in our Lawrence, KS display garden.