Woody peonies (Tree peonies)
A long history
For almost two centuries these beautiful plants have been known as tree peonies – a term that is technically incorrect. Despite producing woody, perennial stems, they are actually shrubs not trees. Woody peonies have been in cultivation for considerably longer in China and Japan than herbaceous types, with a history that stretches back over two thousand years. Grown principally for medicinal use, the most beautiful cultivars were greatly admired and highly sought after by the rich who saw them as a symbol of wealth, power and class. In Europe the few accounts of the availability of tree peonies in the early 19th century, one, dated 1827, mentions their inclusion in wholesale flower markets in Paris along with roses and gardenias.
Leaves of woody peonies
Woody peonies are just that, peonies that produce woody stems. Unlike their cousins, the herbaceous peony, the woody stems remain above ground the entire year, whereas the foliage of herbaceous peonies dies back in early autumn and emerges again early in spring. The leaves of woody peonies also appear in spring as well as new stems. This new growth os usually reddish in colour. As the deeply divided leaves mature they turn green.
(Left to right) Paeonia 'Hesperus' in March, the early growth and the leaves as they mature.
Flowers of woody peonies
The blooms of some specie (wild) peonies can be quite small, but in the majority of varieties they are large and very beautiful. Some open on the stems in ones or twos, others are borne singularly. All open from a wonderfully shaped, big flower bud. In colour the flowers range from white to yellow, pink to dark red. The colours of some are laid over each other, creating lovely shades of apricot and lavender. The blooms can be single, semi-double and fully double in shape. Single flowers are often enhanced by flares of dark red and near black that radiate from a large and rather gorgeous centre of stamens.
The different types of woody peonies
Specie woody peonies
All plants have been raised from what is called 'specie' plants. These are the wild forms of the plant that naturally grow in the areas they originate from. Woody peonies are no different, but of the various plants known to peony enthusiasts there are really only 3 that are reliably available to gardeners. These are generally grown from seed which means the flowers can vary in colour and shape. The commonly found specie peony is Paeonia delayavi, which is known for it's small, dark red flowers, but these may also be yellow or orange. This grows into a medium sized plant that is usually quite round in shape. The other specie well-known to many gardeners is Paeonia delvayavi var. lutea. A big plant the flowers are smallish and bright yellow. It is ideal for the back of a border. The other woody peony that can be found, but with more difficulty is Paeonia rockii. A very beautiful plant, like the others mentioned this is often grown from seed, which means the astoundingly handsome flowers pure white, which have dark flares, may turn out to be shades of pink.
(Left to right) Paeonia delavayi (light red form), Paeonia delavayii var. lutea, Paeonia osti also known as 'Fen dan bai' and Paeonia rockii
Woody peony cultivar groups
Woody peonies are divided into two groups; Suffruticosa and Lutea Hybrids. These are the groups accepted by the American Peony Society, which is the world's accepted authority when it comes to peony names.
Suffruticosa woody peonies
This group includes all woody peonies raised in China and Japan and more modern cultivars that include the beauiful, white flowered woody peony, Paeonia rockii. To help the gardener, it is sensible to split the Suffruticosa by region as the different types grow in different ways. Woody peonies from China are often quite round in shape. The flowers are large, and often semi-double or single, often hanging downwards and outwards from the bush. These are difficult to grow in the UK as our climate is temperate and cold or hot enough to produce flowers reliabily. Japanese woody peonies are rather more refined than those that originate from China. They grow into an upright shrub and the large, mainly single or semi-double blooms open upwards. Both types produce leaves early in spring, before most of frosts have finished. This means the new growth can be damaged. It is best to grow them in an east facing situation, so any frost that lingers will disappear early in the day.
(Top left to right) Peony 'Green Dragon' from China, Peony 'Naniwa nishiki' and Peony 'Shimane-cho-juraka' from Japan. (Bottom left to right) Peony 'Ezra Pound' a Paeonia rockii type American woody peony. P. ‘Hana-kisoi’ and P. ‘Hana-daijin’ both Japanese peonies.
Lutea Hybrid woody peonies
The peony group Lutea Hybrid are woody peonies with lots of Paeonia delavayii in their parentage. Suffruticosa and Rockii hybrids are also used to produce Lutea Hybrids. The plants tend to produce upright stems that branch out towards the top forming a nicely shaped shrub. The flowers are more likely to be semi-double or double and some varieties have lots of side buds. Lutea Hybrids grow to between 45cm (Peony 'Alice Harding') up to 110cm (Peony 'Black Panther') and as they tend to spread at the top they can be as wide as they are tall.
(Top left to right) 'Age of Gold', 'Boreas', 'Angelet', 'Black Panther' (Bottom left to right)'Gauguin', 'Marchioness', 'Chinese Dragon', 'Marie Laurencin'
(Left to right) Peony 'Angelet', Peony 'Gauguin' and Peony 'Black Panther'
How to grow woody peonies
Location
Woody peonies, like all peonies, like a well-drained soil. They don't cope well with their feet in soil that says wet, especially during winter. When it comes to sun, they like as much as possible. Having said that I grow many of mine on the east side of a hedge that faces east and west. This seems to protect any new growth and flower buds from late spring frosts.
When to plant
Like any garden plant, woody peonies can be bought in containers which means they can be planted at any time of the year. However, for a wider choice (which is not extensive) you might find it better to buy a bare rooted plant. These are only sold from October to February, a great time for planting peonies.
How to plant woody peonies
If you are planting a containerised woody peony simply dig a hole, tip the plant out of the pot and drop it in the hole. There is no need to add any extra feed to the soil unless the soil is totally depleted of nutrients, which in the vast majority of situations will not be case. Water well after planting.
Most woody peonies are grafted and therefore it may be necessary to discover if the graft is still in place. If the graft is still attached to the peony, you will see that the root is thicker below the woody stem. If this is the case, plant the grafted part of the woody peony at least 10cm below soil surface.
Pruning woody peonies
Woody peonies are very easy to look after. I do nothing to them until the new shoots appear in spring. This is when any remaining old leaves are at their easiest to remove from the woody stems. It is also the best time to prune. I remove dead stems now as I can see which part of the woody stem is growing and which is not. It is also the time to prune any wayward stem and to reduce the height of the shrub.
Further information
If you would like any further information about woody peonies, or peonies in general, my book PEONIES might be of interest.
Buying woody peonies
Buy bare root peonies if you want a good number to choose from. These are delivered any time from late October to mid February but they can be ordered from late April onwards. Peonies are also available in containers from early May onwards, but the range is less extensive. Buy woody peonies.
