Overview
Paeonia rhodia is a bushy, clump forming shrubs in the genus Paeonia, part of the Paeoniaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Paeonia rhodia 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 clusii is a relatively low (25–50 cm) species of herbaceous peony with scented, white or pink flowers of up to 12 cm in diameter. In the wild, the species can only be found on the islands of Crete and Karpathos (subsp. clusii), and Rhodes (subsp. rhodia). It has pinkish-purple stem up to 30 cm long and glaucous dissected leaves. 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 clusii
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 rhodia 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 rhodia
- 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 rhodia?
Paeonia rhodia prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Paeonia rhodia need?
Paeonia rhodia 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 rhodia hardy in the UK?
Paeonia rhodia 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 rhodia?
Division, Lifting and dividing established clumps in autumn.
More in the Paeonia genus
- Paeoniapeony
- 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'