Paeonia x suffruticosa
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Paeonia x chinensis
- Paeonia x moutan
- Phonetic Spelling
- pay-OHN-ee-uh suf-roo-tee-KO-sa
- Description
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Tree Peony, despite its name, is an erect and coarsely branched, flowering, deciduous shrub that grows up to 6.5 ft. tall. It is in the peony family (Paeoniaceae). This species is an ancient cultigen from China derived from the hybridization of P. jishanensis and P. rockii. Paeonia is the classical Greek name for peony. The epithet, suffruticosa, means "somewhat shrubby."
This plant blooms in mid- to late spring, and the flowers are exceptionally large. One specimen plant can produce 75–100 blossoms during the 2-month flowering period. Too much shade or competition from tree roots inhibits flowering. Stems are brittle and need to be staked or protected from the wind. Most cultivars need a long winter chill to flower well. Consequently, in the southernmost part of its range (Zone 8), it may not flower reliably. This plant is tolerant of partial shade, alkaline soils, heat, deer, and rabbit browsing. It requires moist, well-drained and fertile soils. It is intolerant of drought. Prune this plant only to shape it; do not cut the stems to the ground in winter as with herbaceous peonies.
Insects, Diseases,and Other Plant Problems: Ants commonly seen on peonies are harmless. Canker, leaf blight and stem wilt occasionally afflict the plant.
Quick ID Hints:
- Deciduous shrub with twice-compound, lobed leaves
- Gigantic, fragrant flowers on slender, brittle stems
- Stamen filaments are violet-red, and there are many concave petals.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Shima Nishiki'
Semi-double purplish-red flowers with prominent white striping and yellow centers
- 'Shima Nishiki'
- 'Shima Nishiki'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Shima Nishiki'
Semi-double purplish-red flowers with prominent white striping and yellow centers
- 'Shima Nishiki'
- 'Shima Nishiki'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Paeonia
- Species:
- x suffruticosa
- Family:
- Paeoniaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China, Tibet
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract butterflies.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Follicle
- Fruit Description:
- This plant produces 2–8 spreading follicles.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are rose, purple, pink, white, or yellow in color. They are fragrant, terminal, and up to 6" in diameter. Flowers have many petals that are concave and have finely scalloped margins. There are 5 sepals, numerous stamens, and 5 carpels. Flower filament that is violent-red in color. Cultivars come in many colors and can be single or double blooms.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are alternate, biternate, and deeply dissected. Leaflets are stalked, ovate to broad-oval, 3-5 lobed, pale green above, blue-green beneath, and up to 4" in size.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Twigs are slender, cane-like and branching above.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heat
- Rabbits