What soil does Tree peony grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, calcareous.

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Tree peony be planted?

Plant it at least 1 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

When does Tree peony flower?

Flowering: April–May, white, pink, red, purple, yellow.

How much water does Tree peony need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Tree peony cost?

It sells for roughly €42 to €63 in local shops, depending on size.

Tree peony

Paeonia × suffruticosa

Tree peony (Paeonia × suffruticosa) is a shrub. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Toxic to dogs and cats. Sold in local shops from about €42.

Illustration of Tree peony — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

Tree peonies are slow-growing, very long-lived deciduous shrubs that carry flowers up to 20 cm across, often scented, in late April and May, in white, pink, red, purple and yellow, single, semi-double or double. The stems do not die back, so never cut them down in autumn; just remove dead wood in late winter. Most are grafted onto herbaceous peony roots: plant with the graft union about 15 cm below the soil so that the scion forms its own roots. Give it a spot sheltered from wind in sun or light shade with deep, rich, well-drained soil, avoid frost pockets and do not move it. Flower colour and fullness are the main things to choose by: very double flowers can weigh the shoots down, and expect few flowers in the first years.

Watch out for

It leafs out early, so late frost can scorch young foliage and buds; cover it with fleece on frosty nights. Peony wilt (grey mould) causes shoots, buds and flowers to wilt and die back, and canker, leaf blight and scale also occur; cut out affected parts. Roots rot in winter-wet soil. If the graft was planted too shallow, the rootstock may send up herbaceous, shiny reddish shoots from the base: remove them at their origin or they will overwhelm the scion. It is slow to establish, often not flowering in the first year or two, and strong wind breaks the large flowers. In Central Europe young plants benefit from a mulch over the base in hard winters without snow cover.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 1.2 m × 1 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, white, pink, red, purple, yellow

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	1.2 m × 1 m
Ultimate size	0.9–2 m × 0.9–1.5 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, white, pink, red, purple, yellow
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	120 cm
For dogs	Toxic
For cats	Toxic
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €42

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €42 – €63

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

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