Paeonia lutea - Yellow Tree Paeony
There are 33 species of beautiful perennials and shrubs in the genus Paeonia, all native to temperate Eurasia apart from 2 that occur on the west coast of North America.
The name of the genus goes back to classical Greek and used by Dioscorides meaning Paeon of Greek mythology a physician to the Gods and arose from the supposed medicinal properties of some species. Peonies are deciduous and have long-lived, rather woody rootstocks with swollen roots, and large compound leaves with the leaflets usually toothed or lobed. Today Paeonia roots re used to produce various products in the health and beauty market.
Each stem in spring terminates in one to several large, rose-like flowers, their centers with a mass of short stamens almost concealing the 2 to 5 large ovaries that develop into short pods containing large seeds. The flowers are mostly in shades of pink or red but there are white and yellow-flowered species. The great majority of the species are herbaceous, dying back to the ground in autumn, but there is a small group of Chinese species known as the ‘tree peonies’ that have above ground woody stems, growing to no more than about 2.4 m in height, so strictly they are shrubs.
Most peonies only succeed in climates with a cold winter. The winter dormancy aids the initiation of flower buds, but new foliage and flower buds can be damaged by late frosts. They appreciate a sheltered position in full or slightly filtered sunlight but with the soil kept cool and moist. Mulch and feed with well-rotted manure when leaf growth starts, but avoid disturbing roots. Pruning of the tree peonies should be minimal, consisting of trimming out weaker side shoots.
Plant them in a rich, well-drained, friable soil. Avoid extreme heat, wet feet, and hot afternoon sun, and protect from wind, rain, and winter exposure. Container-grown specimens can be planted anytime. A yearly early-spring or autumn application of fertilizer with a 5-10-5 or similar ratio is generally adequate to promote growth.
Tree peony cultivars are best propagated from basal suckers but few are produced and plants on their own roots are expensive.
Paeonia lutea (yellow peony) comes from western China and was introduced to the West in the late nineteenth century. It grows to a height and spread of 2m and from late spring to early summer bears single, clear yellow flowers about 5 cm across. Many tree peony cultivars have been bred from it. The leaves are dark green with saw-toothed margins.
Paeonia lutea var. ludlowii grows to 2.4 m and has bright yellow flowers in late spring and was a naturally occurring form from South East Tibet. It grows in open forests, and thickets on dry rocky slopes at elevations of 3000-3500m. In Tibet it is known as lumaidao meaning "God’s flower". Recently botanists have elevated this to species status as Paeonia ludlowii. Named in honor of Frank Ludlow who collected seed of Paeonia ludlowii in the Tsangpo Valley.
Paeonia lutea 'Age of Gold' blooms in midsummer and boasts showy yellow semi double flowers with raspberry blotches.
It has been used in breeding programmes with other species to try and get the yellow flower colour into commercial cut flower market.
Propagation by grafting, which is how most tree peonies are propagated, is difficult for amateurs. Layering might be successful, but it can take two years for roots to develop. Saving and sowing seed is a quick and reliable method.
Prune after flowering to shape plant it matures. Pull off any suckers growing from the rootstock.
Here is video on how to prune a tree paeonia. It is in the UK and looks a small growing variety.
Tree peonies, with their large, pale flowers and arching branches, provide an elegant spring focal point for a formal garden. They are shown to advantage in front of a dark green hedge or background. They grow up to 2 metres tall and are hardier than their perennial counterparts. Contrary to popular opinion, the tree peony is a surprisingly easy shrub to grow.
Some more photos are available on my Pinterest page Paeonia lutea.
The name of the genus goes back to classical Greek and used by Dioscorides meaning Paeon of Greek mythology a physician to the Gods and arose from the supposed medicinal properties of some species. Peonies are deciduous and have long-lived, rather woody rootstocks with swollen roots, and large compound leaves with the leaflets usually toothed or lobed. Today Paeonia roots re used to produce various products in the health and beauty market.
Each stem in spring terminates in one to several large, rose-like flowers, their centers with a mass of short stamens almost concealing the 2 to 5 large ovaries that develop into short pods containing large seeds. The flowers are mostly in shades of pink or red but there are white and yellow-flowered species. The great majority of the species are herbaceous, dying back to the ground in autumn, but there is a small group of Chinese species known as the ‘tree peonies’ that have above ground woody stems, growing to no more than about 2.4 m in height, so strictly they are shrubs.
Most peonies only succeed in climates with a cold winter. The winter dormancy aids the initiation of flower buds, but new foliage and flower buds can be damaged by late frosts. They appreciate a sheltered position in full or slightly filtered sunlight but with the soil kept cool and moist. Mulch and feed with well-rotted manure when leaf growth starts, but avoid disturbing roots. Pruning of the tree peonies should be minimal, consisting of trimming out weaker side shoots.
Plant them in a rich, well-drained, friable soil. Avoid extreme heat, wet feet, and hot afternoon sun, and protect from wind, rain, and winter exposure. Container-grown specimens can be planted anytime. A yearly early-spring or autumn application of fertilizer with a 5-10-5 or similar ratio is generally adequate to promote growth.
Tree peony cultivars are best propagated from basal suckers but few are produced and plants on their own roots are expensive.
Paeonia lutea (yellow peony) comes from western China and was introduced to the West in the late nineteenth century. It grows to a height and spread of 2m and from late spring to early summer bears single, clear yellow flowers about 5 cm across. Many tree peony cultivars have been bred from it. The leaves are dark green with saw-toothed margins.
Paeonia lutea var. ludlowii grows to 2.4 m and has bright yellow flowers in late spring and was a naturally occurring form from South East Tibet. It grows in open forests, and thickets on dry rocky slopes at elevations of 3000-3500m. In Tibet it is known as lumaidao meaning "God’s flower". Recently botanists have elevated this to species status as Paeonia ludlowii. Named in honor of Frank Ludlow who collected seed of Paeonia ludlowii in the Tsangpo Valley.
Paeonia lutea 'Age of Gold' blooms in midsummer and boasts showy yellow semi double flowers with raspberry blotches.
It has been used in breeding programmes with other species to try and get the yellow flower colour into commercial cut flower market.
Propagation by grafting, which is how most tree peonies are propagated, is difficult for amateurs. Layering might be successful, but it can take two years for roots to develop. Saving and sowing seed is a quick and reliable method.
Prune after flowering to shape plant it matures. Pull off any suckers growing from the rootstock.
Here is video on how to prune a tree paeonia. It is in the UK and looks a small growing variety.
Tree peonies, with their large, pale flowers and arching branches, provide an elegant spring focal point for a formal garden. They are shown to advantage in front of a dark green hedge or background. They grow up to 2 metres tall and are hardier than their perennial counterparts. Contrary to popular opinion, the tree peony is a surprisingly easy shrub to grow.
Some more photos are available on my Pinterest page Paeonia lutea.