Overview
Paeonia anomala is a bushy, clump forming shrubs in the genus Paeonia, part of the Paeoniaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Paeonia anomala 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 anomala is a species of herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Paeoniaceae. This peony is ½–1 m high, with a thick irregular taproot and thin side roots. The deeply incised leaves have leaflets which are themselves divided in fine segments. It flowers in early summer, almost always with only one fully developed flower per stem, usually magenta-red or more rarely, pink or white. In the garden it prefers full sun and partial shade and most soil types. In UK gardens it is very hardy across most of the UK (RHS H6). Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden and flower borders and beds. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained conditions and east-facing, south-facing and west-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Paeonia anomala
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 anomala 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 anomala
- 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 anomala?
Paeonia anomala prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Paeonia anomala need?
Paeonia anomala 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 anomala hardy in the UK?
Paeonia anomala 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 anomala?
Division, Lifting and dividing established clumps in autumn.
More in the Paeonia genus
- Paeoniapeony
- Paeonia (Gansu Group) 'Zi Yan' (S)
- Paeonia daurica subsp. mlokosewitschii hybrids
- Paeonia lactiflora 'Bertha Gorst'
- Paeonia lactiflora 'Caroline Allain'
- Paeonia lactiflora 'Dawn Pink'
- Paeonia lactiflora 'Edith Cavell'
- Paeonia lactiflora 'Golly'