Claire Austin Hardy Plants - how to grow peonies

The difference between herbaceous peonies and tree peonies is the stems. In herbaceous peonies the stems die right back in autumn and leave no trace until they re-emerge in spring. The stems of the tree peony are woody and stay above the ground all year.
Tree peonies grow into medium sized shrubs and are covered with lots of lush, beautifully divided foliage. Each stem produces a large, exotic flower usually with a dramatic and very beautiful centre. Some varieties are scented and I have been told that they are good cut flowers. The colours are similar to those of the herbaceous peony; white, pink and red, but many varieties produce true yellow flowers.
We grow three different type:

Japanese Hybrids
These form open bushes and produce large, double, single or semi-double flowers. The foliage is most handsome being deeply cut with some turning a startling red in autumn. The Japanese hybrids tend to be grafted plants which make them easy to establish and are ideal for the beginner.

Saunders and Dauphnis Hybrids
More modern in origin than those detailed above, these are crosses between two very tough species, and their offspring (p. lutea and p. delavayi). The flowers are truly beautiful, ranging from rich, dark red to bright yellow with a blend of both in between. The shrubs are like the Chinese Hybrids in form, but they are much easier to establish and really are worth considering.

Planting
The major planting difference between herbaceous peonies and tree peonies is the depth that they are planted. Plant tree peonies deeply - at least 4 inches below the grafting point. In non-grafted the depth need not be that deep, a depth of 2 inches is sufficient to allow the plant to send suckers out.

Fertilising
A little very well rotted manure can be placed around the dormant plant in winter if the ground is very deprived of nutrients, but generally they can be left undisturbed for many years.

Pruning
This is a question we often get asked. If you find that your tree peony has become long and leggy, cut the unwanted branches back to the ground. This will make the plant send out more suckers and therefore, in time, thicken the bush.

Disease
Peonies can suffer from botritys especially if planted in large groups. This is a fungus and evidence of it can be found at the base of the stem or on the bud. The stem and the bud will be brown and mouldy. In these circumstances, remove the infected area and spray with a fungicide.

Failure to flower
There are three reasons why peonies fail to flower.
1. They have not been planted deeply enough. Remedy - lift the plant in autumn and plant with the buds no more than an inch below the surface of the soil.
2. The plant is too dry during the spring growing season. This can be recognised when the buds are tight and dry.
3. Too much shade. This can also lead to dry roots.


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buy tree peonies planting fertilising pruning diseases problems		Growing tree peonies The difference between herbaceous peonies and tree peonies is the stems. In herbaceous peonies the stems die right back in autumn and leave no trace until they re-emerge in spring. The stems of the tree peony are woody and stay above the ground all year. Tree peonies grow into medium sized shrubs and are covered with lots of lush, beautifully divided foliage. Each stem produces a large, exotic flower usually with a dramatic and very beautiful centre. Some varieties are scented and I have been told that they are good cut flowers. The colours are similar to those of the herbaceous peony; white, pink and red, but many varieties produce true yellow flowers. We grow three different type: Japanese Hybrids These form open bushes and produce large, double, single or semi-double flowers. The foliage is most handsome being deeply cut with some turning a startling red in autumn. The Japanese hybrids tend to be grafted plants which make them easy to establish and are ideal for the beginner. Saunders and Dauphnis Hybrids More modern in origin than those detailed above, these are crosses between two very tough species, and their offspring (p. lutea and p. delavayi). The flowers are truly beautiful, ranging from rich, dark red to bright yellow with a blend of both in between. The shrubs are like the Chinese Hybrids in form, but they are much easier to establish and really are worth considering. Planting The major planting difference between herbaceous peonies and tree peonies is the depth that they are planted. Plant tree peonies deeply - at least 4 inches below the grafting point. In non-grafted the depth need not be that deep, a depth of 2 inches is sufficient to allow the plant to send suckers out. Fertilising A little very well rotted manure can be placed around the dormant plant in winter if the ground is very deprived of nutrients, but generally they can be left undisturbed for many years. Pruning This is a question we often get asked. If you find that your tree peony has become long and leggy, cut the unwanted branches back to the ground. This will make the plant send out more suckers and therefore, in time, thicken the bush. Disease Peonies can suffer from botritys especially if planted in large groups. This is a fungus and evidence of it can be found at the base of the stem or on the bud. The stem and the bud will be brown and mouldy. In these circumstances, remove the infected area and spray with a fungicide. Failure to flower There are three reasons why peonies fail to flower. 1. They have not been planted deeply enough. Remedy - lift the plant in autumn and plant with the buds no more than an inch below the surface of the soil. 2. The plant is too dry during the spring growing season. This can be recognised when the buds are tight and dry. 3. Too much shade. This can also lead to dry roots.