About
A stately, evergreen shrub to 1.8m high, with woody stems and lobed and divided green leaves, sometimes tinted with purple at the margins when young. Produces large, semi-double violet-rose flowers with golden yellow stamens in the centre, in late spring and early 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 typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 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
CultivationGrow in deep, fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Choose an open position but with shelter from cold, drying winds. For more detailed advice, see tree peony cultivation
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer, or by grafting in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworm and swift moth caterpillar
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a virus, honey fungus, Verticillium wilt, peony leaf blotch and peony wilt