did you know?

The tree peony flower is China's national flower and has been cultivated there for millennia. Chinese emperors surrounded their palaces with beautiful specimens of this "King of Flowers," and Beijing's Forbidden City continues to provide a spectacular display every spring. Commoners were once prohibited from growing peonies, a luxury reserved only for royalty.

general maintenance:

Chinese tree peonies need minimal pruning. In winter or early spring during dormancy, remove dead or damaged branches to maintain health.

pests/diseases:

Peony gray mold blight also called peony wilt, may occur.

controls:

Good sanitation is the best protection against gray mold blight. Remove infected foliage (soft brown areas at leaf bases), and remove all fallen foliage in fall to avoid overwintering disease.

how to sow/plant:

In fall, choose a sunny, well-drained site sheltered from strong winds. Cultivate, and amend with compost or well-rotted manure, to a depth of 20 inches; place the plant so the graft union is 4?6 inches deep. Space plants at a distance just shy of their mature spread. Water after planting, and, in dry areas, mulch to conserve moisture.

water and fertilize:

Maintain soil moisture all season. Water regularly, but do not let soil become waterlogged. Apply a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer yearly, just after flowering, following label directions.

garden hint:

For longer-lasting flowers, choose a location for you tree peony that will provide it with some protection from mid-day sun.

features:

• Attractive Flowers
• Attractive Foliage
• Deciduous
• Deer Resistant
• Fragrant

garden uses:

• Containers
• Edging
• Flowerbed borders

other uses:

• Cut Flower

combine with:

annuals and perennials in the mixed border. In Martha's Turkey Hill garden, tree peonies bloom above Oriental poppies Siberian iris and bleeding heart