Overview
Paeonia sterniana is a bushy, clump forming shrubs in the genus Paeonia, part of the Paeoniaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Paeonia sterniana 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 sterniana is a perennial, herbaceous peony of approximately 45 cm high in cultivation, with white or sometimes pinkish flowers. It grows in the wild in southeastern Tibet. This peony is very rare in cultivation. It produces blue seeds in autumn. It is native to Tibet and China. 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 sterniana
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 sterniana 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 sterniana
- 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 sterniana?
Paeonia sterniana prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Paeonia sterniana need?
Paeonia sterniana 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 sterniana hardy in the UK?
Paeonia sterniana 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 sterniana?
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'