Tree peony produces blooms even larger than its herbaceous cousin, all on a permanent woody framework that, unlike regular peonies, never dies back to the ground each winter.
Cultivated in China for over a thousand years and revered as a symbol of nobility, tree peony grows slowly into a small, long-lived shrub that can outlast the gardener who planted it, given the right patient care.
Tree peonies want rich, well-draining soil and a spot with some afternoon shade in hotter climates, since their large blooms can fade faster in intense sun. Unlike herbaceous peonies, the woody stems should never be cut back in fall — only prune out dead or damaged wood.
Tree peonies are slow to establish and may take several years to bloom well after planting — patience rewards gardeners with a woody shrub that can live for generations.
