I just recently saw my first well established tree peony. I live in Kentucky and was wondering if tree peonies would do well here. I have read so many conflicting articles about these plants which is primarily the reason that I have not tried them yet. Growing culture information would be appreciated. Thanks!
Tree Peonies in Kentucky
I think you would be able to grow tree peonies in Kentucky. I live in central Ohio zone 5b and have a beautiful tree peony that is about 8 years old. It is 'Hana Kisoi' and this year has almost 60 blooms on it. The flowers get up to 9 1/2" across. The plant is about 5' by 5'.
Winter here has erratic snow cover. It can get as low as -30 (not counting wind chill) but we can also have the occasional 50 or even 60 degree day in January and February, so the ground goes through a lot of freezing and thawing and heaving. Summers are hot and humid with highs in the 80's and 90's.
My soil is heavy potter's clay and alkaline. I planted my tree peony on the northeast corner of my house. It gets sun until about 2 pm and then a little more sun after 7 pm so that it is in shade during the hot afternoon. I amended the soil with compost before I planted it and I add compost in the spring and fall.
In spring I cut out any dead or crossing branches. I also deadhead after bloom so it doesn't put energy into making seed. It is a very low maintenance plant. It has pretty foliage so it is attractive when not in bloom and I have a variety of perennials growing around it. I highly recommend growing tree peonies. I just wish I had more room so I could grow a lot of them.
THANK YOU! I think I will give them a try.
Good, I may give them a try too. I have just the old fashion peony but have admired the tree ones for a long time.
Teresa in KY
Happy gardening!
my parents have them in louisville and they grow like crazy
I live in Ga. Zone 8. The summers are very hot here and we get 30's in the winter. Will they grow here? I have shade that gets some sun. Would that be sufficient to grow them in.?
Kamikid, check out Goldenport Peonies. I've never bought anything from them, but they are located in Georgia.
Diann
http://www.goldenport.com/
Here's my Hana-Kisoi in Western PA. It's doing exceeding well. It's a beautiful bush! I ordered mine from White Flower Farm and their planting instructions were excellent. It is important to plant them at the correct height. They tied a piece of plastic where the soil line should be. They also said to cover it with a bushel basket the first winter. I did all of this. 1 bloom the first year and 4 this year. I'm very pleased and people are awed by the size of the flowers. I am making room for more. My bush gets sun til about 2 p.m. Good luck!
Does anyone on here have the "Tibetian Tree peony"? Supposedly, it is different, grows tall as opposed to wide. ~ Suzi :)
Hi, everybody, There is lots of good tree peony growing information on the thread, and I know I am late to this thread, but...
I was thinking of planting a couple of tree peonies, possibly in containers, and I am wondering if you think that would work...?
Also, I was wondering what blooms at the same time as Tree Peonies-- is that a Camassia that I see in the background in your pretty pic, linjasar? I was thinking of Siberian Iris and white camassia....
thanks. t.
Hi tabasco,
I would be a little leary of growing tree peonies in containers. I think the root ball would freeze in your climate during really cold weather. I also think tree peonies get pretty extensive root systems that would be too big for any container. These beauties are actually more like small shrubs than herbaceous perennials. Most will get 4' to 5' tall and as wide. They are definitely worth growing but I would find space in the ground. Even when not in bloom they are very attractive.
My camassia is in bloom when my tree peony 'Hana Kisoi' blooms the first week of April. I think you are probably about 2 weeks ahead of me in Cincinnati. Also, different cultivars will bloom early, mid-season or late.
I checked some of my photos and these plants were also blooming with my tree peony: primrose, bleeding heart, tulips, (Angelique, Apricot Beauty, etc.), daffodils, forget-me-nots, grape hyacinths, Lewisia, columbine and wood hyacinth. I am sure there are many, many more.
In bloom tree peonies are stunning beyond belief. When not blooming they make a lovely backdrop to all the flowers that follow them. Even in winter their bare woody branches provide a lovely structural element. I also find their leaf buds start swelling very early in the season; so early that I always fear they will be frozen and turn black but they never do. It is a valuable plant indeed that shows signs of life when all else looks dead.
I look forward to seeing pictures of your tree peonies next year. :^)
Edited to say that all of my Siberian irises bloom after my tree peony. Some of my SDB irises are in bloom when my tree peony blooms.
This message was edited Jul 11, 2005 10:03 PM
OK, N2H2O, you have inspired me! Thanks for all the good information and I will research and find a couple good ones..
I understand that they will take three to five years to bloom--or is there a supplier who you know of who has older plants that will bloom sooner in our garden?
Did you find yours in columbus or do you suggest going to s specialist grower? Or can I get along with HD and Lowes (prices)?
Thanks for all the combination planting ideas. That's just what I wanted to know...those peonies sure bloom early, don't they? Earlier than the herbaceous, right?
So many questions, so thanks again for all the good info. Happy gardening. Judy
I bought mine bare root in a little box at Sears Hardware for about $12. I think that was 8 or 9 years ago. The box was probably 10" or 12" tall so you can imagine how small the plant was. Below is a picture of what it looks like now. This year it had 57 blooms that were about 9" in diameter.
I know you can spend anywhere from very little to a whole lot of money for tree peonies. You can buy named varieties or plants just labeled by color. Most nurseries now carry some. There are some tree peony nurseries as well. If you Google 'tree peony nursery' you will find plenty of suppliers including some specialists. That will give you an opportunity to see the vast array of cultivars available. You may find some that you love so much you won't care about the cost! Also you may get more information on each cultivar including bloom time which will help you plan your companion planting. And you may be able to get more mature plants which will bloom sooner.
Then again, I found this named beauty at Sears for peanuts back when most nurseries in this area weren't carrying any tree peonies. LOL It has no scent but some of them do.
Are you still coming up to Columbus? I think deMonye's nursery is having a '50% off all regularly priced perennials' sale until July 17th. Also I am pretty sure Oakland nursery is having their annual month long 'thanks to customers' sale this July. I don't know what their sale prices are. Last year they had a variety of Tree Peonies, including some yellows.
Mine blooms before the herbaceous peonies, usually around May 1 but it is an early-blooming one. I don't know what the time frame for mid or late season bloomers would be. That is where a specialist nursery could be really helpful. It would also allow for a whole new range of companion plants.
I have found that the blooms on mine don't last long in heat. So those that bloom mid to late season may have an especially short bloom period if it is hot. Mine is extremely double and I don't know if singles would have the same problem. Another question for the specialists.
This message was edited Jul 12, 2005 9:40 AM
Single bloom
The buds are beautiful - like giant rose buds. I love to watch them open.
My DXH always says when I like something (anything) I always give it a manic endorsement. So you have just received my manic endorsement for tree peonies. LOL
OK, again, great info. I have looked on the web and gotten lots of great info...so will start shopping around the garden centers...
I do go up to Cols. quite a bit and will try to get to the nurseries before the sales end to poke around. Maybe we could get together for coffee or lunch one day when I'm in town...
Thanks again for all the (obsessively?!) great inside info. (-: Judy
Obsessive is my middle name. LOL