About
Produces large, semi-double lilac pink flowers with dark purple marks at the base of the petals, and golden yellow anthers in the centre. A deciduous shrub to 1.5m high, with woody stems and lobed and divided green leaves, sometimes faintly tinted with purple. Flowers 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
HabitBushy, Columnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 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