Overview
Paeonia is a bushy, clump forming shrubs in the genus Paeonia, part of the Paeoniaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Paeonia grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden and flower borders and beds.
About
Paeonia is a deciduous shrub cultivar within the Paeonia genus, known for its bushy, clump-forming habit. Like other members of its genus, it features broad, lobed leaves and bowl-shaped blossoms that typically appear in early summer. This cultivar thrives in full sun or partial shade, favouring sheltered positions with well-drained, humus-rich soil that can be chalk, clay, loam, or sand with a range of pH levels. Hardy to UK zone H6, it is suitable for city gardens, cottage gardens, and flower borders, with spring as its season of interest.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Paeonia
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Paeonia size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy, Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Paeonia
- Propagation
- Division, Lifting and dividing established clumps in autumn
- Pest resistance
- Leaf and bud eelworm, Swift moth caterpillar
- Disease resistance
- Virus, Honey fungus, Verticillium wilt, Peony leaf blotch, Peony wilt
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Paeonia?
Paeonia prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Paeonia need?
Paeonia is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Paeonia hardy in the UK?
Paeonia has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Paeonia?
Division, Lifting and dividing established clumps in autumn.
More in the Paeonia genus
- Paeonia (Gansu Group) 'Zi Yan' (S)
- Paeonia anomalaanomalous peony
- Paeonia daurica subsp. mlokosewitschii hybrids
- Paeonia lactiflora 'Bertha Gorst'
- Paeonia lactiflora 'Caroline Allain'
- Paeonia lactiflora 'Dawn Pink'
- Paeonia lactiflora 'Edith Cavell'
- Paeonia lactiflora 'Golly'