Planting and Caring Tree Peony Tips

Planting and Caring of Tree Peony

Site Selection

Tree peony can be planted in full sun or part sun. It requires at least 4 to 5 hours of sunlight daily. In areas where it is very hot in April, during the blooming season, the heat causes the flowers to wilt and drop fast. In this case, it is better to plant it in a semi-shady area or to shade the plants with mat-awning or bamboo-awning in blooming. Good drainage is essential. In lowland during the summer where accumulated water can cause root rot, it may be fatal. However, you can provide better drainage by planting it on a gentle slope or in a raised flowerbed. Avoid planting tree peonies near large trees that may draw the necessary nutrients away from the peonies.

Herbaceous peony prefers to plant in full sunlight, but they will stand a moderate amount of shade.

Preparing the Soil

Tree peony and herbaceous peony like loamy and loose soil with good drainage content to a depth of at least 2 feet. Best avoide uncultivated or clay or saline earth and poor drainage. The bad soil should be improved to good soil. The nicer potted soil is also loose, fertile, well-aerated and well-drained. They grow best in soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5.

Planting Tree Peony

Space your plants at least 120cm (about 4 feet) apart. Tree peony roots grow 100cm to 150cm (about 3 to 5 feet) into the ground. When planting, the hole should be large and deep with ample room to accommodate all the roots. In general, the depth of the hole should be about 45cm (18 inches) deep and the opening 45cm (18 inches) in diameter. Build a soil cone to support the roots and make sure that the roots are fully extended. With one hand holding the plant and the other fill the hole little by little using prepared soil, hand-pressing to remove any air pockets and to stabilize the plant. The correct planting depth is with the root collar the same level as or slightly below the earth surface. Firm the ground gently and water it thoroughly after filling the hole. It is very important to keep the ground warm. So the new roots can develop even in late fall or in winter. In a warm climate, mulch your new plant with leaves, pine straw, or such type of material. In cold climate, the whole plant needs to be covered for winter. The material needs to be 15cm (about 6 inches) over the top of the plant.

Water and Fertilizer

Under normal conditions (the annual precipitation is more than 24 inches), it is usually not necessary to water your peonies frequently, because peonies roots are exceptionally flourishing. However, for the first growing season when the new plant's roots have not yet fully developed, it should be watered during a long period without rainfall. Apply water very slowly and gently. Too much moisture is detrimental to the plant.

You may lightly fertilize your plant two to three times annually with organic fertilizers such as compost, well-rotted manure and zymolytic cottonseed meal. The best time to fertilize peonies is the early spring or after blooming or before the winter. If the ground is dry, water it after fertilizing. Do not use fresh manure.

What to Expect from your Tree Peonies

A three-year or older tree peony is usually capable of blooming the season after planting. Some varieties may take longer to bloom. Once they start to bloom, you will be rewarded each year with an abundance of beautiful flowers. Chinese tree peonies can live more than a hundred years if you take good care of them. There are seven hundred years old tree peonies in China. Each of those can still produce two hundreds flowers every year.

Care and Maintenance

Peonies are low maintenance plants. Fertilize your plants lightly with bone meal or a low nitrogen fertilizer such as 4-12-4 (nitrogen-phosphor-kalium). The best time to fertilize is in early spring when the stems are about 5-8cm (2 or 3 inches) high or after blooming and before winter. Over-fertilization, especially with nitrogen, usually results in weak stems and reduced flowering.

Keep the roots moist and shaded until planting. Tree peonies and herbaceous peonies prefer a soil pH of 6.5 to 7.0. They must be planted in a well-drained place. Standing water at the roots will kill them. The site should be partly shaded. A shady spot will allow the flowers to last longer without fading. Do not plant too close to trees where the roots will compete with peony roots for nutrients and water.

The hole should be two feet deep and two feet wide (about 50 x 50cm). Any new buds of herbaceous peony or roots collar of tree peony should be below the soil level. Mound the earth in the bottom of hole so that the roots are fully extended. Fill the hole half way with rich garden soil. Water in the plant to prevent air pockets. Fill the rest of the hole, again with rich garden soil and water. Mulch with 15cm (6 inches) of leaves or straw during the first winter to prevent the earth from heaving.

Carefully remove mulch a little at a time in early spring when the danger of freezing is over. After the plant has bloomed, it's best to remove faded flowers. The dried tips of branches of tree peony and the stems of herbaceous peony should be removed before winter or in early spring.

In fall, carefully remove dead leaves. This sanitary procedure will help keep your plants free of leaf spots disease, a common garden disease.

Planting Peonies in containers

Gardeners with terrace or deck gardens, or those who lack the space to plant in the ground, may grow peonies in pots. We have tried many kinds of pots for planting. Peonies planted in clay or plastic pots require continual replanting, as the roots girdle and stop the plant from growing. Root control bags are the best solution. These are made from a non-woven plastic fabric that looks like felt, is fast draining and very durable.

This type of container provides quick drainage and allows hair roots to grow through the sides of the bag. The roots are "naturally" pruned by their exposure to air, and will not girdle. This bag may be placed in any decorative pot or planter, which has good drainage.

If the ground freezes where you live, plants in bags must be insulated or stored at 2-5°C (35-40°F), root control bags can be sunk into the ground in the fall, or insulated with bubble wrap or a similar material.

A peony in a root control bag can be set into the ground and will be easy to lift out without damaging the roots. The bags are not biodegradable and can be left in place for 5 years or so before repotting. Place the potted tree peony where it will get at least 4 hours of sun. When the plant is in bloom, move it into a fully shaded location for longer lasting flowers. All herbaceous peonies do equally well in pots, but prefer full sun.

FAQs

1. Do Chinese peonies require a lot of watering?

Chinese peonies consume a great amount of nutrient and also transpire a great deal of water because of their luxuriant branches and leaves and huge flowers, and although they thrive in a dry environment they don't grow well without water.

It is important that they don't need too much water. In the rain-belt, watering is usually not necessary. Generally, newly planted seedling should be thoroughly watered, while watering of established plants should be related to the growing environment and individual flower conditions. It must be watered, if there is a long period without rain. Water slowly and gently. Too much moisture is detrimental to the plant.

2. Can Chinese peonies be raised in pots? If so, what should be done in order to make it grow and bloom?

Yes, they can be potted in various containers. It requires expertise and very careful cultivation. Most of varieties can pot. The best varieties are dwarf, upright, strong and rich-flowered with many feeding roots.

The potting soil must be loamy and rich. Use clay pots at least 10 inches in diameter with 10 inches depth. Transplant it to larger pots as the plant grows. A pot with the same diameter from top to bottom is a better choice.

Fall is the best time for potting the tree peonies. After digging up a plant, leave it out for a day or two to let it become limp for easy handling. Remove damaged branches and some of the branches that are very closely grown together. Cut short the very long roots to fit in the depth of the pot. Soak the pot in water thoroughly. Put the plant in and fill the pot with soil not all the way up to the brim, firm the soil and water it well. Do not over watering, just keep it moist. Use organic fertilizers with water twice or thrice a month during its growing season.

And once a week right before blooming and during its blooming period. Afterwards resume the twice to thrice monthly routine.

In places where the winter is severe the pot can be buried in the ground with the plant exposed outside, then cover it or leave it according to the local climatic condition.

3. How many varieties of tree peonies are there in China?

There are about one thousand varieties of tree peonies in China. The color groups are Yellow, Green, Pink, Blue, Red, Purple, Black and Multi-color. The most famous varieties are Yao Huang ("Yao Yellow", King of tree peony), Wei Hua (Queen of tree peony), Dou Lu ("Green Bean"), Lu Xiang Qiu (green), Er Qiao ("Two Beauties", multi-colour), Qing Long Wo Mo Chi ("Blue Dragon Lying in Black Ink Pond", black), Guan Shi Mo Yu (black), Ye Guang Bai (white), Bai He Wo Xue (white), Bai Yu ("White Jade"), Zhao Fen ("Pink Treasure"), Lu Fen (pink), Fen Zhong Guan (pink), Luoyang Hong (red), Shou An Hong ("First Red"), Huo Lian Jin Dan (red), Shan Hu Tai (red), Zhuang Yuan Hong ("Superior Red"), Ying Luo Bao Zhu (red), Lan Tian Yu (blue), Zi Lan Kui ("Blue Purple Orchid", blue), Ge Jin Zi ("Beautiful Purple Scarf", purple), Da Zong Zi (purple), Zhao Zi ("Purple Treasure", purple) etc.

4. How many varieties of herbaceous peonies are there in China?

There are about four hundred varieties of herbaceous peonies in China. The color groups are Yellow, Pink, Blue, Red, Purple, Black and multi-Color. The most famous varieties are Huang Jin Lun (yellow), Qiao Ling (yellow), Feng Yu Luo Jin Chi (yellow), Mo Zi Xiu Qiu (black), Tie Gan Zi (black), Wu Long Tan Hai (black), Xiang Yang Qi Hua (multi-colour), Lian Tai (multi-colour), Yan Zi Dian Yu (multi-colour), Yang Fei Chu Yu (white), Bai Yu Bing (white), Bai Yu Pan (white), Ling Long Yu (white), Zhong Sheng Fen (pink), Fen Pan Cang Zhu (pink), Zhao Yuan Fen (pink), Tao Hua Fei Xue (pink), Yu Cui He Hua (pink), Lan Tian Bi Yu (blue), Da Fu Gui (red), Gao Gan Hong (red), Zhu Sha Pan (red), Da Hong Pao (red), Yin Xian Xiu Hong Pao (red), Zi Feng Chao Yang (purple) etc.

5. How long does it take for a Chinese tree peony or herbaceous peony to have its first blossom?

Usually Chinese tree peony bloom at its third or fourth year. Some varieties take longer to bloom. This means if you bought a 3-year-old bare root tree peony, planted in the fall, it can bloom for you the next spring. Afterwards each year the flowers become better and bigger. Chinese tree peony can live more than a hundred year. A 2-year-old plant of herbaceous peony will bloom on the next spring.

6. Do Chinese peonies have fragrance?

Most tree peony or herbaceous peony have fragrance. The flower fragrance of peonies is divides into three types: delicate fragrance, moderate fragrance, and dense fragrance. The fragrance of a variety varies possibly depending on weather conditions and the cultivation environment.

7. What is the temperature range suitable for Chinese peony to grow?

In the natural environment, Chinese peony has been growing and blooming in different climatic areas in the world. The temperature range is from -15 °C to 35°C( 5°F to 95°F), and the amount of annual rainfall ranges from 8 to 60 inches. However, the most ideal temperature range is -10°C to 30°C( 13°F to 86°F), and the ideal amount of annual rainfall is from 20 to 40 inches. In the cold area, it is necessary to take protections against frostbite in winter. Please remember Chinese peony is not only hardy, but also has an amazing ability to adapt itself to its environment.

8. How do we protect our peonies during a severe winter or in a cold area?

In general, Chinese peonies do not need especial protection in winter. When the temperature dips below -20°C(-4°F), it is necessary to have protections against frostbite for peonies. There are many ways to protect, such as heaping a mound around branches of tree peony or above roots of herbaceous peony, or covering the plant with 10-15cm of dried stalks or leaves. A few varieties of Chinese tree peonies can survive at much lower temperature without winter protection.

9. In places where it is very hot and humid during the summer, do Chinese peonies need special attention?

Chinese peonies prefer cool and dry weather and good drainage. In a lowland and plain area during the summer where accumulated rainwater can cause root rot, it can be fatal.

However, you could provide better drainage by planting it on a gentle slope or in a raised flowerbed. If you could plant your Chinese peonies in partially shady highland site with good drainage and good ventilation, even in places where the heat is intense during the summer, the Chinese peonies are able to bloom for you in the spring.

10. Is a long period of low temperature required in order to insure blooming?

Chinese peonies need to go into a given period of dormancy in winter to ensure blooming for the next spring . Usually a period of 30-45 days with temperature between 0°C to 4°C(32°F to 40°F) would be sufficient for blooming.

In order to bring peony florescence forward, it is necessary to treat the plants with low temperature. Usually after pretreatment of 10 days with temperature 15°C(59°F), the plants of tree peony need a period of 6 weeks with temperature 4°C(39.2°F), and the plants of herbaceous peony need only a period of 30 days with temperature 4°C(39.2°F)for blooming.

Flower of Peony

Chinese Tree Peony (Mudan) flowers over many years without a break, from a seedling aged 4-5 years to senescent plants aged over hundred years. In various places in China, there are still quite a few very old peonies.

In a normal year it takes 50-60 days from breaking of bud dormancy to flowering. This period varies between different cultivars. Those flowering early or with simpler flower forms take a shorter period, but late flower-in cultivars or those with higher rank flower forms take longer. The flowering period of different varieties is generally 3-10 days for individual flowers. The overall flowering period for a mature plant is about 25-30 days. The quality of the flower depends on the variety, weather conditions and the cultivation environment. A warm winter affects some varieties that benefit from low temperature thus results in poorer flowering, and is particularly harmful for plants being forced. An excessively cold winter can damage buds and thus affect flowering in the next spring. At flowering time, dry and hot winds or excessive rain shorten the flowering period and damage flowers.

* Flower Forms:

Different amounts of petals or different degrees of petaloidy define different forms within the divisions of flower forms. There are mainly 11 flower forms.

Single Form: 1 - 3 whorls of normal petals that are wide, large and flat with a wide-ovate, ovoid or obovate shape. Stamens normal and pistils normal and fertile.

Lotus Form: Large and neat petals in 4 - 5 slightly overlapping whorls forming the shape of a lotus flower. Stamens normal and pistils normal.

Chrysanthemum Form: 6 whorls and over. Petals gradually decreasing in size towards the center. Stamens normal or fewer and petaloid in the center of the flower; pistils normal.

Rose Form: Petals generally longer than in chrysanthemum form, becoming smaller from the outside towards the center. Most stamens disappeared. Pistils normal, slightly petaloid, reduced or completely disappeared.

Hundred Proliferate-Flower Form: The flower form has the appearance of top-bottom overlapping of two or more individual flowers of the Hundred petals sub-section. The Hundred petals sub-section includes Single Form, Lotus Form, Chrysanthemum Form, and Rose Form.

Golden Stamen Form: 2 - 3 whorled petals, large and straight. Bright golden stamens, large anthers and anther stalks. Pistil normal.

Anemone Form: 2 - 3 outer whorls of wide and straight petals. Stamens completely petaloid and have become narrow and straight petals. Pistils normal or reduced.

Golden Circle Form: 2 - 3 outer whorls of wide and large petals. Most stamens petaloid, but a whorl of normal stamens remains as a golden circle between the narrow interior petals and the wide outer petals. Pistils normal, or petaloid, or reduced.

Crown Form: Wide and expanded outer petals. Completely petaloid stamens usually with the appearance of becoming larger from outside to inside, sometimes mixed with a few narrow silk-like incompletely petaloid stamens. Pistils are petaloid, reduced or completely disappeared. The center of the flower is raised, forming a crown shape.

Globular Form: All stamens are highly petaloid with shapes and sizes similar to those of normal petals. Pistils petaloid or reduced. The whole flower resembles a Chinese artistic ball.

Crown Proliferate-Flower Form: There are various forms which have the appearance of two or more individual flowers of the Crown sub-section overlapped from top to bottom. The Crown sub-section includes Golden Stamen Form, Anemone Form, Golden-Circle Form, Crown Form, and Globular Form.

* Flower Color

The colors of Chinese peonies are rich and varied. There are primarily eight monochromatic categories denoted by white, yellow, pink, and red, purple, black (dark purple), and blue (pinkish blue) and green. There are also the types with two colors, one of which bleeds into the other. There are some differences in a type of color, such as red varieties include light red, peachblow, magenta, bright red, fiery-red, purplish red etc. There is no green in herbaceous peonies, but multi-color cultivars are not uncommon.

* Florescence

The three flowering periods of tree peony and herbaceous peony are: early, mid-season and late, based on the flower chronology in the locations of the central China.

Florescence of tree peony: From early April to early May.

Early blossoming varieties: From early April to early mid-April.

Mid-season blossoming varieties: From mid-April to late April.

Late blossoming varieties: From the end of April to early May.

Florescence of herbaceous peony: From late April to late mid-May.

Early blossoming varieties: From late April to early May.

Mid-season blossoming varieties: From early May to early mid-May.

Late blossoming varieties: From early mid-May to late mid-May.

Florescence of a single flower varies between different varieties. The flowering period of different varieties is generally 5-10 days for individual flowers. The overall flowering period for a mature plant is about 25-30 days. The time of the flowering date, the length of the flowering period and flower quality depends on the variety, weather conditions and the cultivation environment. A warm spring advances flowering, while a cold spring delays it. A warm winter affects some varieties that benefit from low temperature and results in poorer flowering, and is particularly harmful for plants being forced. An excessively cold winter can damage buds and thus affect flowering in the next spring. At flowering time, dry and hot winds or excessive rain shorten the flowering period and damage flowering.

Tree peony blossoms monthly under the man-control conditions.