About
This deciduous shrub, with a branching habit and dissected, dark emerald leaves. Large, dark reddish-purple anemone-form flowers are produced in late spring.
About the genus
Paeonia may be herbaceous perennials or deciduous sub-shrubs with large, divided leaves and showy large bowl-shaped flowers, usually in early summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Spreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
ToxicityPets (dogs, cats): Skin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationThrives in humus-rich, ideally neutral, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or light shade. Position in a sheltered spot away from frost pockets. See tree peony cultivation for more details
PruningPrune dead stems to a healthy bud in late winter and cut flowered shoots just above the new growth in summer or autumn. Cut stems by a third in autumn to encourage vigor if the plant becomes leggy. See Pruning group 1 for more details
PropagationPropagate by grafting, from a semi-ripe cutting or layering
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworm and swift moth caterpillar
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus, Verticillium wilt, peony leaf blotch, peony wilt and virus diseases