Citytv Forums

Has anybody had any experience with tree peonies?    If so, can you tell me about their pros and cons? 

I've never seen one in person myself, but they sure look great in the catalogues.  They're pitched to be as low maintenance as peonies (which I love), but that they don't need to be staked during the growing season, or cut back in the fall.   They sound great to me, but I'm a bit suspicious.  If they're that great, I don't understand why they aren't showing up in more gardens.

I have not heard about them. But will keep my eyes open and post if I come across any future info.

I currently have 2 tree peonies in my garden.  The first year I had the oldest one, it appeared to die off and two new shoots appeared from the bottom (I know you're not supposed to let them grow from the bottom of the trunk, but I didn't want to lose the whole plant so I allowed it to).  I get several buds on each shoot every year.  This year I believe I counted 15!  They are beautiful peonies!  They do not require a lot of work ~ just watering with the other plants in my perennial garden.  I understand that they are supposed to get quite tall, however mine is only about 2 feet tall.  Peonies are one of my favourite plants ~ and I would recommend giving them (tree style) a try in your garden.  I think you would be pleased.   Good luck and happy gardening!

Thanks!  I bought one yesterday, to put into a new garden that I'm making.  I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

I have 2 tree peonies, one very old one that came with our house and a new one I puchased 2 years ago. The older one flowers a dark burgundy, the new one is bubblegum pink. You usually don't see blooms the first year. It takes time to establish, so the first or second spring after planting you may only have a green plant.

One reason you may not have noticed tree peonies is that they bloom once a season for a very short time in May, the rest of the year they look like a green plant or bush depending on the size. It naturally grow in a round shape, so no trimming is needed.  The leaves are a different shape than peony plants.

They are low maintenance and so beautiful when they are in bloom. My neighbor has one that is about 40" high and wide, it had at least 50 huge blooms this year.  Amazing!