Tree Peony Varieties for Sale from Breck's
Tree peonies are hardy, long-lived, woody shrubs that don't die back to the ground in the fall like bush peonies. Our tree peonies are grafted, a technique whereby the bud of the desired variety is fused onto understock and imported directly from Japan. A tree peony plant is sure to attract and impress your visitors.
Grafted plants tend to establish more quickly and are able to withstand adverse soil conditions more easily than tree peonies that grow on their own roots. It flowers just before herbaceous varieties and are suited for zones 4-7. If you are interested in adding peony trees to your garden landscape, check out our beautiful collection.
Tree Peony FAQs
What Is a Tree Peony?
Tree peonies are the tallest of the peonies grown in the United States, with heights reaching up to seven feet. They're long-lived, and are larger and woodier than herbaceous peonies. While you might consider most peonies a seasonal perennial, tree peonies really work to create structure in the landscape, and shouldn't be cut down year after year. These tall, rewarding shrubs will come back year after year to provide stunning, light texture and beautiful foliage.
When to Plant a Tree Peony
Plant your tree peonies as soon as possible after receiving them, once the danger of frost has passed. Spring planting allows them to establish roots before the heat of summer and gives them the best start for healthy growth and flowering in the years to come.
To successfully grow tree peonies, you should plant the grafted bareroot deeply with the graft union 3-4" below the soil. This will encourage the tree peony to make fresh roots and basal shoots. Plantings should be at least 4–5' apart.
Don't overwater newly planted tree peonies. This is the biggest cause of failure.
Tree peonies are slow starters. Sometimes a newly planted one will appear to make little growth, if any, in its first season. Don't panic—especially if the foliage looks healthy. All activity happens underground. This may just be a "setting in" period. Occasionally, the main stems may die back a little. Although this might look worrisome, wait until next spring, when vigorous growth should resume from the lower part of the stem or even from below soil level.
How to Care for Tree Peony
Itoh and herbaceous peonies have a reputation for being extremely easy-care plants, but nearly all peonies bred for American gardens are really easy to grow. Tree peonies are no exception, however, they may require some staking.
Water thoroughly after planting your tree peony, and water occasionally the first summer after planting, in particular when they begin to bloom. Peonies are not generally very thirsty plants, but they will benefit from being watered during dry spells. Another way to help your peonies flourish? Add an all-purpose fertilizer in springtime to give them an extra boost. Stake your plant after buds form on the stems, loosely looping twine to support those budding flowers.
After blooming, you can deadhead your peonies—but allow the leaves to stay on the plant through fall. Unlike herbaceous peonies, tree peonies shouldn't be cut all the way back. Pruning should be done after the plant is finished blooming, or in the spring, and no more than one-third of the plant should be cut back.
How to Prune a Tree Peony
Peonies should be pruned in autumn, just after they've finished blooming. Blooming peonies can be deadheaded throughout the blooming period, but wait to prune until autumn, or early spring. Unlike itoh and herbaceous peony varieties, which may be pruned heavily in the fall, tree peonies should not be cut down fully. Instead, just prune these peonies in late autumn or before the growing season re-starts in spring. Using a clean saw, cut back any suckers from the base of the plant, and remove any crossed or damaged branches. Then, cut your peony to your desired size and shape, but don't cut back more than one-third the total size of the plant.