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Paeonia x suffruticosa is often confused with:
Paeonia hybrids Paeonia 'Paul M. Wilder'
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Aesculus sylvatica Aesculus sylvatica
Cornus canadensis Cornus canadensis
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis

Tree Peony Paeonia x suffruticosa

Previously known as:

  • Paeonia x chinensis
  • Paeonia x moutan
Phonetic Spelling
pay-OHN-ee-uh suf-roo-tee-KO-sa
Description

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:
  • 'Shima Nishiki'
    Semi-double purplish-red flowers with prominent white striping and yellow centers
'Shima Nishiki'
Tags:
#showy flowers#small tree#white flowers#shrub#pink flowers#yellow flowers#deciduous shrub#nectar plant#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#large flowers#alkaline soils tolerant#fantz#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#shrub borders#hedge#long lived#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Shima Nishiki'
    Semi-double purplish-red flowers with prominent white striping and yellow centers
'Shima Nishiki'
Tags:
#showy flowers#small tree#white flowers#shrub#pink flowers#yellow flowers#deciduous shrub#nectar plant#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#large flowers#alkaline soils tolerant#fantz#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#shrub borders#hedge#long lived#wildlife friendly
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Follicle
    Fruit Description:
    This plant produces 2–8 spreading follicles.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Twigs are slender, cane-like and branching above.
  • 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