Some Peony Basics:
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Peonies are long lived perennials. There are many plants of 50 or even 100 years old that are still producing beautiful flowers. They require a well drained fertile soil and like a soil ph of 6 to 7.2. Full sunlight is preferred by peonies but they will tolerate shade part of the day. Plant spacing is dependant on variety with herbaceous types needing from 18" for dwarf varieties to 5' for large growing types. Tree peonies are generally spaced from 4 to 6 feet.

There are Two Basic Types of Peonies -
Herbaceous and Tree:
Herbaceous peonies are the most common type. As their name implies, these plants die to ground level each season. There are many species of herbaceous peonies in horticultural use.

Tree peonies are flowering shrubs which grow from 1 to 6 feet tall. Tree peonies are divided into two main groups: the hybrid group and the non hybrid group.

The plants of the non hybrid group are varieties of P. suffruticosa. The varieties we offer in this group originated in Japan and here in America and we have found them to be very well adapted to our cold climates as well as warmer climates of the southern United States (USDA zones 4 thru 8 or 9 on the west coast). All varieties we offer have wonderful upright growing flowers displayed on top of the plant above the foliage. Flower colors are beautiful shades of pink, red and white with many having deeper colored flares at the center of the flower.

Plants of the hybrid tree peony group are crosses of P. suffruticosa with P. lutea or P. delavayi. The varieties we offer in this group have been developed in the United States and are very well adapted to growing conditions in the U.S. The hybrids are the only tree peonies with bright yellow color as well as offering a range of colors and flower forms unique to this group.