Paeonia suffruticosa

Paeonia suffruticosa, the tree peony, is a long-lived, deciduous shrub prized for its spectacular, large late-spring flowers held above divided, mid-green foliage. For reliable performance in Ireland, plant in a sunny or lightly shaded, sheltered spot with fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Avoid waterlogging and try not to disturb established plants; mulch in spring and deadhead after flowering, pruning only to remove dead or weak wood. Given good drainage and shelter from drying winds, it is slow to establish but will form a handsome focal point around 1.5–2m over time, ideal for mixed and cottage-style borders.

To help give a clear sense of scale, the stone wall shown in our photos measures approximately 265cm in height. We also use familiar garden tools as visual references: a digging fork (110cm tall) and a hand fork (30cm tall). These are included purely as size guides to help you better judge proportions when viewing the images.

Position: Full sun to light shade; sheltered

Rate of Growth: Slow-growing

Soil: Moist but well-drained, fertile soil

Hardiness: Fully hardy

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Plant at a Glance