About
A deciduous shrub to around 1.5m tall and wide with divided green foliage that may turn red in autumn. Semi-double, golden-yellow flowers up to 18cm in diameter with notched and crinkled petals and deep red inner flares are borne in late spring and summer.
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 typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage 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
CultivationBest in a deep, fertile, humus-rich soil that is moist but well-drained in a sheltered position in full sun or partial shade. See tree peony cultivation
PruningCut back to about 15cm in autumn, as leaves die off, then trim back to the topmost live bud when growth starts in spring
PropagationPropagate by division in autumn or early spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworm and soil-dwelling swift moth caterpillar
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a virus, honey fungus, Verticillium wilt, peony leaf blotch and peony wilt