Chinese peony and Itoh peony are often considered for the same spot in the garden (flowers, specimen). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.
Paeonia lactiflora 90 cm × 90 cm after 10 years
A long-lived, bushy perennial with large, scented flowers in late spring and foliage that makes a good backdrop in the border until autumn. Plant it…
Paeonia Itoh Group 80 cm × 90 cm after 10 years
A group of hybrids between herbaceous and tree peonies ('Bartzella', 'Cora Louise', 'Julia Rose', 'Hillary', 'Kopper Kettle'): it dies back to the…
Chinese peony grows larger: 90 cm × 90 cm after ten years, against 80 cm × 90 cm for Itoh peony.
Chinese peony is hardier: down to -40 °C, against -29 °C for Itoh peony.
|
Feature
|
Chinese peony
|
Itoh peony
|
|---|---|---|
| Group | Perennial | Perennial |
| Size after 10 years | 90 cm × 90 cm | 80 cm × 90 cm |
| Ultimate size | 0.5–1 m × 0.5–1 m | 0.6–1 m × 0.6–1 m |
| Growth rate | no data | Medium |
| Light | Full sun, Part shade | Full sun, Part shade |
| Soil | Average garden soil, Clay | Average garden soil |
| Hardiness | down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7) | down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7) |
| Foliage | Deciduous | Deciduous |
| Flowering | May–June, white, pink, red | May–June, yellow, pink, white, purple, red |
| Water need | Medium | Medium |
| Drought tolerance | Medium | Medium |
| Maintenance | Low | Low |
| Planting distance | 90 cm | 90 cm |
| For dogs | Toxic | Toxic |
| For cats | Toxic | Toxic |
| For children | Mildly toxic (uncertain) | Mildly toxic (uncertain) |
| Typical price | approx. HUF 8,500 | approx. HUF 9,900 |
Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 13, 2026
Besides the cookies the site needs to work, we would like to use analytics and advertising cookies (Google, Facebook), if you allow it. Details