tree peony

Tree peonies need to be watered regularly and deeply in order to produce the best blooms possible. During its growing season (Spring to Fall), water the tree peony once a week, making sure to saturate the soil around the roots. During the hotter months of summer, increase watering frequency to twice a week. In extremely hot climates, water may need to be applied 3 times a week. Reduce watering frequency to once a month during the Winter months. As Tree Peonies are known to tolerate dry conditions, it’s important not to overwater them during the dormant season.

Tree peonies (Paeonia 'Themis') need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce large, vibrant blooms. A bright south or east facing window is ideal, but east is better as the late afternoon sun can scorch the buds and the flowers. If kept indoors, it will need supplemental light from grow lights. When the seasons change, so should your tree peony's light exposure; in the summer, enjoy the sun and move it to more shade when the sun gets hotter and the days get longer. During winter months, move it to an area with more direct sunlight, as too little light can affect all parts of the plant, such as growth, flowering, and seed production. Overall the tree peony prefers good air circulation, but not too much exposure to wind in its preferred sun spot. Too much wind can cause flowers to shred and leaves to brown, while not enough sun could cause this variety to spindle and be slow-growing and short-lived.

Tree peonies should be pruned twice each year: after the flowers bloom in June, lightly remove dead flower heads and cut the stems back by 1-third; and in the fall, cut the peony back to about 12-18 inches from the ground. Prune off any dead branches and stems, as well as any that cross over 1 another. If leaves or stems are diseased, they should be cut off well below the infection site and disposed of away from the garden. Pruning too drastically can remove vital energy and growth from the plant, so approach pruning with an even hand. After pruning, it's a good idea to apply a balanced fertilizer to the peony to help it recover and prepare for the winter.