Tree peonies can be a bit expensive, but the stunning 8 to 10-inch fragrant flowers that bloom for a couple of weeks are simply amazing. They are different than the herbaceous peonies you’ve known from your grandmother’s garden and cemeteries. The blooms of tree peonies are gorgeous and the bright colors can be seen from far away. Passersby will probably stop and ask what that brightly colored flower is in your garden.

Here are a few of the key facts:

Tree Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa)
TYPE: Slow-growing woody shrub
FLOWER: Mid to late spring, single, semi-double to double blossoms in colors of red, pink, purple, yellow, orange, and white
SIZE: 3-6 ft. tall and wide
LIGHT: Full sun to part shade (afternoon shade is best)
SOIL: Well-drained, fertile
ZONE: USDA zones 4 to 9

This is a very slow-growing plant and may take a bit of patience for a year or two while you wait for it to bloom. Once it reaches its mature size, you may have up to fifty gorgeous blooms covering the plant. The flowers are fragrant so plant it in an area where you can enjoy the scent. Make sure you choose the right spot as they don’t like to be moved once they get established. They say tree peonies are deer resistant, however, mine were nibbled. If a deer is hungry, they’ll eat about anything. Tree peonies do not die back like herbaceous peonies do and bloom on ‘old wood’ and are not cut back in fall. The deciduous, large dull green divided leaves will provide structure and interest when it’s not in bloom.

It’s well worth the time and money to have a focal point, such as this wonderful plant in your garden. Give it a bit of love and it will live happily in your garden for a very long time.