Tree Peony

Tree Peony Care

Paeonia Suffruticosa

What is the plant

Paeonia × suffruticosa is a name used for a group of cultivars of tree peonies that are the result of hybridisation with species exclusively belonging to the subsection Vaginatae. Paeonia suffruticosa, also known as the tree peony, originates from China. Sometimes, people refer to these tree peonies as “Chinese tree peonies.” Paeonia suffruticosa belongs to the peony family. The most distinctive feature is that Paeonia suffruticosa is a bush or a tree, whereas most peonies are herbaceous. Despite their classification as trees, it is the flowers that attract people's attention.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Hardiness zone

4 - 8

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Water in to settle the soil and continue watering regularly, especially in dry weather, during the first summer.
Pruning
The best time to prune is early spring, although this may mean you sacrifice some flowers in the coming year. You can also prune directly after flowering but regrowth is slower.
Fertilizer
Adding a layer of compost or manure to the soil in spring will give the shrub a boost of nutrition to start the season. Many gardeners also like to feed their tree peonies with a foliar spray of fish emulsion later in the season.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
Tree peonies prefer a fertile yet reasonably well drained soil, which is neutral to slightly alkaline. Clay, chalk or sand are all fine, as long as they do not become too wet in the winter.
Container
Tree peonies can be grown successfully for several years in a large container (at least 12” diameter) and make very fine pot plants. When planting, it is important to use a soil-based compost. Your plant should be grown outdoors during the summer, autumn and winter.
Additional
Peonies. As beautiful as they may be, the peony plant contains paeonol, which is toxic to dogs and can cause illness if ingested.