Introduction

The Chinese tree peony is one of the oldest garden plants in cultivation. Its history goes back at least a couple of thousand years ever since the wild tree peony was first welcomed by flower lovers into their gardens and homes. The Chinese herbaceous peony is one thousand years earlier than tree peony in cultivation. In public gardens throughout China one can find special areas reserved for tree peonies and herbaceous. In the months of April to June, beautiful flowers in a variety of colors blanket these areas and the fragrance fills the air. These gardens frequented receive visitors from near and far. Luoyang is one of most famous tree peony growing centers in the world. Luoyang Peony Festival attracts thousands upon thousands tourists during the April to May every year.
The tree peony has been a favorite flower loved, treasured, and even revered by the Chinese people for generations from the emperors down to the common folks. Now, there are about one thousand varieties of different colors and shapes. In the central area of China the tree peonies are known to grow better with larger flowers, and to bloom more abundantly and earlier than those in the colder zones do. The maturity plant's height is 1.2 to 2m (about 4 to 6.5 feet). Some of them can reach 2.5m (about 8 feet) in height. The tree peony has an amazing longevity. It may live more than a hundred years. Some age-old 200 to 700 years' plants of tree peony existed in the famous temple or garden. The Chinese peonies also grow it in pots at home. This is a hardy and strong plant.
There are about four hundred varieties of herbaceous peonies in China. Their adaptability is better than tree peony, especially in cold resistance.
The fall is the best time to plant peony. New roots develop and grow rapidly in 250C to 180C (770F to 640F) temperature before winter. When the temperature goes below 4.50C ( 400F), it stops growing. In early spring as soon as the temperature is above 4.50C ( 400F), it starts to grow again.
The Chinese peonies like dry and cool weather. They do not require a long period of extreme cold in order for them to bloom in the spring. A period of 30 to 45 days of 00C to 50C(320F to 410F) temperature is enough to insure tree peonies to bloom. In the warm area where there is heavy rain fall and the temperature often reaches above 320C( 900F) during the summer, they will be able to grow and bloom in the spring, provided they are planted in a location with good drainage, sufficient ventilation, and under semi-shade.

Storing Bare-root Peony

Our peonies come in bare-root form that should be planted as soon as possible upon arrival. However, if you need to store it for a few days, it should be kept cool and moist in a moisture retaining pack such as sawdust or peat moss. Remember the Chinese peony is a hardy plant

Site Selection

Tree peony can be planted under full sun or part sun. It requires at least 4 to 5 hours of sunlight daily. In areas where it is very hot in April, during the blooming season, the heat causes the flowers to wilt and drop fast. In this case, it is better to plant it in a semi-shady area or to shade the plants with mat-awning or bamboo-awning in blooming. Good drainage is essential. In lowland during the summer where accumulated rainwater can cause root rot, it may be fatal. However, you can provide better drainage by planting it on a gentle slope or in a raised flowerbed. Avoid to plant tree peonies near large trees that may draw the necessary nutrients away from the peonies.
Herbaceous peony prefers to plant in full sunlight, but they will stand a moderate amount of shade.

Preparing the Soil

Tree peony and herbaceous peony like loamy and loose soil with good drainage content to a depth of at least 2 feet. Uncultivated or clay or saline earth and poor drainage are best avoided. The bad soil should be improved to good soil. The nicer potted soil is also loose, fertile, well-aerated and well-drained. They grow best in soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5.

Planting Time

Bare root peonies are best planted in the fall; this encourages a good root formation before the plants begin their top growth in next spring. If you plant them later, please take heat preservation measures with cover.

Planting Tree Peony

Space your plants at least 120cm (about 4 feet) apart. Tree peony roots grow 100cm to 150cm (about 3 to 5 feet) into the ground. When planting, the hole should be large and deep with ample room to accommodate all the roots. In general, the depth of the hole should be about 45cm (18 inches) deep and the opening 45cm (18 inches) in diameter. Build a soil cone to support the roots and make sure that the roots are fully extended. With one hand hold the plant and with the other hand fill the hole little by little using prepared soil, hand-pressing to remove any air pockets and to stabilize the plant. The correct planting depth is with the root collar the same level as or slightly below the earth surface. Firm the ground gently and water it thoroughly after filling the hole. It is very important to keep the ground warm. So, the new roots can develop even in late fall or in winter. In a warm climate, you mulch your new plant with leaves, pine straw, or such type of material. In cold climate, the whole plant needs to be covered for winter. The material needs to be 15cm (about 6 inches) over the top of the plant.

Planting Herbaceous Peony

Herbaceous peonies can be planted any time in the fall before the ground is frozen. Peonies planted in spring, unless pot grown, sometimes fail because the root development does not keep pace with the growth. Space plants 100 to 120cm (about 3 to 4 feet) apart. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root system. A generous amount of compost or well-rotted animal manure is beneficial to peonies. It should be mixed well with soil. Place a layer of soil above the fertilized zone so those roots of the peonies do not come in contact with the manure. Plant peonies with the buds 5cm (2 inches) below the soil surface. Plants placed too deeply sometimes fail to bloom. Fill the hole with soil, tamp firmly and water thoroughly. Mulch your plants for the first winter. Remove mulch in next spring.

Water and Fertilizer

Under normal conditions (the annual precipitation is more than 24 inches), it is usually not necessary to water your peonies frequently, because peonies roots are exceptionally flourishing. However, for the first growing season when the new plant's roots have not yet fully developed, it should be watered during a long period without rainfall. Apply water very slowly and gently. Too much moisture is detrimental to the plant.
You may lightly fertilize your plant two to three times annually with organic fertilizers such as compost, well-rotted manure and zymolytic cottonseed meal. The best time to fertilize peonies is the early spring or after blooming or before the winter. If the ground is dry, water it after fertilizing. Do not use fresh manure.

What to Expect from your Tree Peonies

A three-year or older tree peony plant is usually capable of blooming the season after planting. Some varieties may take longer to bloom. Once they start to bloom, you will be rewarded each year with an abundance of beautiful flowers. The Chinese tree peonies can live more than a hundred years if you take well care of them. There are seven hundred years old tree peonies in China. Each of those can still produce two hundreds flowers every year.

Care and Maintenance

Peonies are low maintenance plants. Fertilize your plants lightly with bone meal or a low nitrogen fertilizer such as 4-12-4 (nitrogen-phosphor-kalium). The best time to fertilize is in early spring when the stems are about 5-8cm (2 or 3 inches) high or after blooming and before winter. Over-fertilization, especially with nitrogen, usually results in weak stems and reduced flowering.
All plants are shipped in the fall, September to early December, depending on your area:
The cold area will be sent in early September to late September.
The warm area sent about early December to early December.
The other area sent about early October to early December.
The success rate of fall transplanting is almost 100%, so we do not ship at any other time. Though peonies are hard plants, but we ask you to order the plants in advance for planting in good time.
Keep the roots moist and shaded until planting. Tree peonies and herbaceous peonies prefer a soil pH of 6.5 to 7.0. They must be planted in a well-drained place. Standing water at the roots will kill them. The site should be partly shaded. A shady spot will allow the flowers to last longer without fading. Do not plant too close to trees where roots will compete with peony roots for nutrients and water.
The hole should be two feet deep and two feet wide (about 50 x 50cm). Any new buds of herbaceous peony or roots collar of tree peony should be below the soil level. Mound the earth in the bottom of hole so that the roots are fully extended. Fill the hole half way with rich garden soil. Water in the plant to prevent air pockets. Fill the rest of the hole, again with rich garden soil and water. Mulch with 15cm (6 inches) of leaves or straw during the first winter to prevent the earth from heaving.
Carefully remove mulch a little at a time in early spring when all danger of freezing is past. After the plant has bloomed, it's best to remove faded flowers. The dried tips of branches of tree peony and the stems of herbaceous peony should be removed before winter or in early spring.
In the fall, carefully remove dead leaves. This sanitary procedure will help keep your plants free of leaf spots disease, a common garden disease

Planting Peonies in containers

Gardeners with terrace or deck gardens, or those who lack the space to plant in the ground, may grow peonies in pots. We have tried many kinds of pots for planting. Peonies planted in clay or plastic pots require continual replanting, as the roots girdle and stop the plant from growing. Root control bags are the best solution. These are made from a non-woven plastic fabric that looks like felt, is fast draining and very durable.
This type of container provides quick drainage and allows hair roots to grow through the sides of the bag. The roots are "naturally" pruned by their exposure to air, and will not girdle. This bag may be placed in any decorative pot or planter, which has good drainage.
If the ground freezes where you live, plants in bags must be insulated or stored at 2-50C (35-400F), root control bags can be sunk into the ground in the fall, or insulated with bubble wrap or a similar material.
A peony in a root control bag can be set into the ground and will be easy to lift out without damaging the roots if you move. The bags are not biodegradable and can be left in place for 5 years or so before repotting. Plants are shipped with easy to read and detailed planting instructions.
Place the potted tree peony where it will get at least 4 hours of sun. When the plant is in bloom, move it into a fully shaded location for longer lasting flowers. All herbaceous peonies do equally well in pots, but prefer full sun.