Appearance

Growth form

A clump-forming perennial 1–3 ft (30–90 cm) tall and wide that dies back to the ground each winter.

Flowers

Cup- or bowl-shaped flowers are about 3–5 in (8–13 cm) across. Garden forms may be white, pink, or red, with single or double blooms.

Flowering time

In the St. Louis area, plants usually bloom from May into early June. Timing changes with the variety and local weather.

Look-alikes

tree peonyPaeonia × suffruticosa

Tree peony (Paeonia × suffruticosa) keeps woody stems above ground in winter. Chinese peony stems die all the way back, then grow again in spring.

Why they get mixed up · Both have large peony flowers in gardens.

woodland peonyPaeonia obovata

Woodland peony (Paeonia obovata) grows naturally in Asian woods and usually has a simple flower with a few petals. Some Chinese peonies also have single flowers, so a bloom alone may not settle the identification.

Where it lives

Typical habitats

• Gardens
• Flower beds
• Parks

Range

Native to temperate Asia. In the US it is widely grown in gardens, especially where winters are cold enough for flower buds to develop.

Preferred conditions

It usually grows well in USDA Zones 3–8, especially Zones 5–7, in sun and well-drained soil.

Flowering

Flowers May–Jun

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Flowers

Flowers May–Jun

Growing it

Propagation

Divide established clumps in fall if you need to move or share them. Plants often bloom best when left undisturbed.

Connected species

Ties with other wildlife

Ants often visit sticky peony buds and do not harm the plant.

Partners

• antsFormicidae

  Ants drink nectar from the buds and help protect the flowers from other insects. They are not needed for the buds to open.

Name and classification

Varieties and forms

Garden selections range from single to fully double flowers. “Sarah Bernhardt” has many pink petals, while “Festiva Maxima” has double white flowers flecked with red.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

NENot Evaluated·Not yet assessed