About
An upright, bushy deciduous shrub with lobed, hairy dark green leaves and lightly scented, double dark reddish pink flowers which appear in the 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 typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-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 usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens
FragranceFlower
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, in an open position but with shelter from cold, drying winds; for more 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 soil-dwelling swift moth larvae
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a virus, honey fungus, Verticillium wilt, peony leaf blotch and peony wilt