tree peony

Tree peonies should be watered regularly, but sparingly, especially during the first year or 2 of establishment. Once established, they prefer 1 inch of water per week, preferably scattered in several intervals throughout the week. Water deeply to encourage deep root growth, and avoid wetting the foliage as much as possible. In summer, an extra watering every other week is beneficial. To prevent root rot, water in the morning rather than the evening. During periods of drought, extra watering may be necessary to ensure the plant remains healthy.

Tree peony (Paeonia delavayi var. lutea) prefers full sun and at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day when grown outdoors. However, when grown in a container, it should be placed in a spot with some dappled shade to help ensure the plant does not receive too much intense direct sun. If the plant does receive too much direct sun, it may become scorched or sunburned. In extreme cases, the leaves may turn yellow or brown and eventually fall off the plant.

Tree peonies should be pruned twice a year, once in late autumn and once in early spring, with the spring pruning being the most important. During the late autumn pruning, dead, diseased, or damaged wood should be removed. In early spring, any remaining dead wood should also be removed, and any weak or twiggy stems should be selectively cut back to the main framework of the plant. It’s important to not cut back too severely as this can stun the growth on the plant. For tree peonies, prune the stems back to 3 to 4 buds from the living wood. This ensures the plant will remain vigorous and maintain its shape.