Tree Peonies

CGC member Kathy shares photos of her tree peony.

Want to grow one? The botanical name is Paeonia suffruticosa and this plant originated in China. As shown, tree peonies grow in this area as they are hardy to zone 4. Unlike the herbaceous peony that dies to the ground with the freezing temperatures, it is a woody long-lived shrub. Tree peonies take several years to get established, and once in the ground and happy where they are, hate being disturbed or moved. Make sure you plant yours in fertile but well-drained soil in a location that has at least six hours of sun a day. In a few years you can have spectacular blooms like Kathy's plants.