Fragrant Tree Peonies for Scented Flower Gardens

Paeonia Suffruticosa Is a Flowering Shrub Worth Growing

Sep 14, 2008

The tree peony is another type of peony worth growing in scented flower gardens. Paeonia suffruticosa is a flowering shrub with large fragrant blooms.

The tree peony is a woody shrub, part of the Paeonia family, whose fragrant flowers are larger than herbaceous peonies. The plant grows 3 – 5’ high and wide within 10 years. In optimal growing conditions some cultivars will reach ten feet.

The alternate ovate shaped leaves grow 10 – 12” long with 3 – 5 lobes. These are glossy green and deeply incised with a whitish underside. The flower buds are larger and flatter than herbaceous peonies.

The silky blooms come in singles, semi-doubles and doubles that can reach 5 – 8 “ wide with eight or more petals. One plant can average 75 – 100 flowers during a two-month bloom cycle.

Use the tree peony shrub as a focal point in perennial, butterfly, cutting or scented gardens. Or tree peonies can become part of a sequential flowering plan while adding variety to a herbaceous peony display. The tree peony will drop its leaves in the fall. Its branching provides good winter interest against a backdrop of snow.

The tree peony, like all peonies, dislikes being moved and will thrive in the same location for decades. For this reason, it is important to site these plants correctly. Tree peonies are best grown in zones 4 – 8. They do not tolerate the desert southwest or beyond zone 9.

Tree peonies prefer morning sun such as an eastern exposure or dappled sun, avoiding hot mid-day or western afternoon sun. They do best away from windy sites.

Flowers begin blooming the third or fourth year after grafting. Gardeners should purchase plants at least that old. Whether the plant is flowering also is affected by the number of chilling hours it has received during the dormant season. Tree peonies are described as blooming in early, early to mid and mid springtime.

Planting Tree Peonies

A tree peony should be planted in early spring or early autumn; in southern states fall is preferred. Plant so the grafted wood stem and root is below the soil line. The tree peony will develop its own roots system and not depend on the grafted roots.

The soil should be amended with organic matter, mixing in a high phosphorous fertilizer. Tree peonies prefer slightly alkaline to neutral soil. In colder zones, add a layer of organic mulch to the garden bed. Tree peonies do not require staking.

The garden maintenance schedule for tree peonies should include deadheading the flowers. This plant will only require pruning to remove dead wood.

Tree peony cultivars primarily are the work of Chinese, Japanese and American hybridizers. All tree peonies are fragrant. Here are a few examples:

Paeonia 'Bartzella' is a hybrid of a herbaceous and tree peony. The yellow flowers are nine inches wide. The plant averages 4' tall and wide but better tolerates part shade, as well as full sun.

History of Tree Peonies

The tree peony is sometimes called moutan. Discovered in an eastern province of China during the sixth century, the Chinese tree peony was the principal flower in the Chinese Imperial Palace Garden. Chinese hybridizers developed more than 300 variations of tree peonies.

The copyright of the article Fragrant Tree Peonies for Scented Flower Gardens in Scented Flower Gardens is owned by Christine Eirschele. Permission to republish Fragrant Tree Peonies for Scented Flower Gardens in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.