Tree peony varieties

Tree peonies are shrubs whose upright, woody stems stay above ground all year, as Wisconsin Horticulture describes them. The University of Missouri notes that they rarely grow taller than four to five feet in Missouri. The table below compares every variety we list side by side.

Varieties
8
Height
2–7 ft (61–213 cm)
Hardiness
USDA zones 3–9
Form

8 Tree

Compare all 8 side by side

All 8 tree peony varieties

A Black Pirate peony flower up close on the plant Black Pirate Lutea hybrid tree peony with single dark red satiny flowers, bred by Saunders in 1935. Late spring, Early summer2 ft (61 cm)
A Hanakisoi peony flower up close on the plant Hanakisoi Japanese tree peony with semi-double pink flowers about 8 inches across, grown in Japan before 1910. Mid spring3–5 ft (91–152 cm)
A High Noon peony flower up close on the plant High Noon Tree peony with semi-double lemon yellow flowers flared raspberry at the base, blooming in May. Late spring4–5 ft (122–152 cm)
A Kinkaku peony flower up close on the plant Kinkaku Tree peony with full yellow flowers edged in pink, up to 8 inches across, blooming May to June. Late spring, Early summer4–5 ft (122–152 cm)
A Renkaku peony flower up close on the plant Renkaku Japanese tree peony with semi-double pure white flowers about 8 inches across, grown since at least 1889. Mid spring (estimated) 3–7 ft (91–213 cm)
A Shimadaijin peony flower up close on the plant Shimadaijin Japanese tree peony with semi-double reddish purple flowers about 8 inches across and golden stamens. Mid spring (estimated) 3–7 ft (91–213 cm)
A Shima-Nishiki peony flower up close on the plant Shima-Nishiki Japanese tree peony with semi-double red flowers irregularly striped white around yellow stamens. Mid spring (estimated) 3–6 ft (91–183 cm)
A Taiyo peony flower up close on the plant Taiyo Japanese tree peony with semi-double bright red flowers and yellow centers, blooming early in the season. Mid spring, Late spring3–6 ft (91–183 cm)

How to choose

  1. Check the Color column. Peony's Envy writes that yellow, copper and coral tree peonies come from the Lutea hybrid group, while the Suffruticosa group runs from white and pink to deep maroon.

  2. Compare the zones in the table with your own. Peony's Envy gives zones 4 to 9 for tree peonies and warns of some dieback in zone 4 in hard winters.

  3. Look at the bloom time. Peony's Envy says tree peonies flower before herbaceous peonies, so they can open the peony season in a border.

Compare side by side

Color Sunlight
Black Pirate Tree 2 ft (61 cm) 4–9 Late spring, Early summer Full sun (estimated)
Hanakisoi Tree 3–5 ft (91–152 cm) 4–7 Mid spring Full sun, Part shade
High Noon Tree 4–5 ft (122–152 cm) 4–9 Late spring Full sun, Part shade
Kinkaku Tree 4–5 ft (122–152 cm) 4–7 Late spring, Early summer Full sun, Part shade
Renkaku Tree 3–7 ft (91–213 cm) 4–7 Mid spring (estimated) Full sun, Part shade
Shima-Nishiki Tree 3–6 ft (91–183 cm) 4–9 Mid spring (estimated) Full sun, Part shade
Shimadaijin Tree 3–7 ft (91–213 cm) 4–9 Mid spring (estimated) Full sun, Part shade
Taiyo Tree 3–6 ft (91–183 cm) 3–8 Mid spring, Late spring Part shade, Full sun

Values marked like this (estimated) are estimates.

Frequently asked questions

Should I cut tree peonies back in fall?

No. White Flower Farm says the woody trunk and branches should never be pruned to the ground. Peony's Envy advises removing only dead or diseased wood in spring and fall, and no more than a third of the woody growth in a season if you want to reshape the plant.

How deep do you plant a grafted tree peony?

Deeper than a herbaceous peony. Peony's Envy advises setting the graft six inches below the soil surface so the plant grows its own roots.

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