TREE PEONIES 
King of Flowers 
Ancient Chinese called the tree peony, the King of Flowers. They lend charm 
to the garden because they are beautiful, rare and hardy. 
These shrubby counterparts of the familiar perennial are distinguished principally 
by their woody stems but usually they are taller with bigger flowers and they begin 
to bloom two or three weeks earlier than ordinary peonies. These spectacular shrubs 
grow to a height of three to four feet. 
Once a tree peony has been seen in full bloom, many other plants will seem 
unattractive by contrast. The immense beautiful blossoms display graceful, often 
crinkled petals, which sometimes look as if they were made of crepe paper. All 
varieties have a delicious fragrance. The shapely, fine cut leaves of these majestic 
shrubs suggest an appearance of tropical luxuriance. 
Since the branches do not die back to the ground in winter as do those of soft 
stemmed kinds, tree peonies are able to put forth buds in fall. They thus develop 
faster than other species in Spring and by the time they are several years old, are 
capable of blooming in great profusion. After the flowering period, the new sprouts 
gradually turn to wood during the summer. Buds form on this wood and the 
process continues. 
GARDEN ACCENT 
A tree peony is a notable plant and may well be given a place of honor. A 
single specimen can hold the focal point in an intimate garden. Two make handsome 
accents on each side of steps or the entrance path. Four can be used in a balanced 
design at the corners of a flagged area or of a rectangular pool. A group of these 
plants is spectacular if backed by lilacs. In bloom together, the shrubs and peonies 
may well be the most colorful section of the garden. 
The peony shrubs originally grew wild in the mountains of China. They were 
imported into Japan and also, about 150 years ago, into Europe. On both continents, 
hybridizers have been at work improving them. 
TYPES — COLORS 
At the present time, three distinct types can be distinguished—the European, 
the Japanese and lutea hybrids. The European type is usually very double and has 
broad foliage. Japanese tree peonies have single to mostly semi-double blooms, nearly 
always with a beautiful cushion or circle of yellow stamens in the center. Leaves are 
much finer and thinner than in the European. The lutea hybrids originated from a 
cross between the wild lutea and the other oriental varieties. These lutea hybrids are 
difficult to propagate and very rare. 
The colors of both European and Japanese tree peonies range from pure white 
through pale pink, rose, salmon and cerise to deepest red. The Japanese have a much 
broader range than the European. Lutea hybrids display colors and shades all their 
own. Yellow ranging from clear tones to orange tints, vie for the visitor's attention 
with combinations of yellow and red. Some of these are unsurpassed even by the rose. 
In the Japanese there are clear whites, pinks, salmons, reds and maroons that cannot 
be described in words. The daintiness of the semi-doubles and the airiness and sparkle 
of the full double, beggar description. 
Tree peonies begin to flower in this area about May 15th to 20th. The lutea 
hybrids open last, about May 20th to 30th. Some varieties lend themselves to forcing. 
All are easy to grow in most parts of the country. They have been known to survive 
winter temperatures of twenty to thirty degrees below zero and will endure more 
neglect the year round than most plants. 
