What hardiness zones is Paeonia lactiflora suitable for?

Paeonia lactiflora is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Paeonia lactiflora?

Paeonia lactiflora requires Full Sun.

How much water does Paeonia lactiflora need?

Paeonia lactiflora has Medium water needs.

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Perennials

Paeonia lactiflora

garden peony

PaeoniaceaeAsia

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitClumping

FoliageDeciduous

Height24–36 inches (60–90 cm)

Width24–36 inches (60–90 cm)

Maturity5 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Fragrant (strong)

Maintenancelow

Overview

Paeonia lactiflora, commonly called Chinese peony or garden peony, is a long-lived herbaceous perennial in the family Paeoniaceae, native to meadows, forest margins, and rocky slopes in northern and eastern China, Mongolia, Siberia, and Korea. It is the parent species behind the vast majority of named garden peony cultivars — thousands of selections spanning single, semi-double, double (bomb), anemone, and Japanese flower forms in white, cream, pale yellow, every shade of pink, rose, red, and deep burgundy. Plants form substantial clumps 24–36 inches (60–90 cm) tall and wide with deeply divided, glossy, compound leaves that are attractive from spring through autumn. In late spring, the large, often intensely fragrant flowers — 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) across — are produced over two to three weeks. Garden peonies are among the longest-lived of all herbaceous perennials; well-sited plants have been known to persist and flower for 100 years or more without division. All parts are mildly toxic. They require a period of winter chilling to flower, making them exceptionally well-adapted to Pacific Northwest conditions.

Native Range

Native to northern and northeastern China (including Manchuria), Mongolia, Siberia (Russian Far East), and Korea, where the species grows in meadows, steppe edges, open forest margins, and rocky slopes in moderately fertile, well-drained soils. Not native to North America.

Suggested Uses

Garden peonies are among the most spectacular and enduring of all late-spring perennials for Pacific Northwest gardens, providing enormous, often intensely fragrant flowers in late May and June that are unsurpassed for cutting. Plant as specimen plants in full sun borders, in mixed perennial plantings, or as informal hedges along pathways. The glossy compound foliage remains handsome from spring through autumn after flowering is complete. Species and single-flowered cultivars are superior for pollinators; double forms sacrifice pollen and nectar accessibility. For cut flowers, harvest when buds are at the soft marshmallow stage — not yet open — for maximum vase life of one to two weeks. The Intersectional (Itoh) hybrids combine herbaceous and tree peony traits for exceptional vigor and flower form.

How to Identify

Garden peony is identified by its large, compound, glossy dark green leaves with deeply lobed, lance-shaped leaflets and stout, reddish stems emerging from ground-level crowns in early spring. The large flowers — 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) across — range from single (five large petals surrounding golden stamens) to fully double (densely packed petals with no visible stamens) depending on the cultivar. The distinctive fleshy roots and the shallow crown — which must not be planted more than 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) below the soil surface — are diagnostic. Flowers are typically intensely fragrant in white, pink, rose, red, or bicolor.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 3'

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

pink

red

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

red

orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Garden peony blooms in late spring, typically May through early June in Pacific Northwest gardens. The flowering period per plant lasts two to three weeks. By selecting early, mid, and late-season cultivars, the overall peony season can be extended to six to eight weeks. In Pacific Northwest gardens, cool late-spring temperatures tend to prolong the individual bloom period; hot spells shorten it and may cause the large double flowers to weigh down the stems.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, cream, pink, rose, red, or deep burgundy; single to fully double depending on cultivar; often intensely fragrant

Foliage Description

Large, compound, deeply lobed, glossy dark green; stout reddish stems; attractive through the growing season

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclay

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3–5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant garden peonies in full sun to partial shade in well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic to neutral soil. The most critical factor is planting depth: the eyes (buds on the crown) must be positioned no more than 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) below the soil surface — planting too deep is the primary reason garden peonies fail to flower. Amend soil with compost before planting; peonies are heavy feeders and respond to annual top-dressing with balanced fertilizer in early spring. Stake heavy-flowering cultivars before the stems elongate, as the large double flowers will collapse in rain or wind without support. Water consistently during the growing season. Peonies are long-lived and resent disturbance — plant in a permanent position and leave undivided. All parts are mildly toxic.

Pruning

Cut all stems back to ground level in late autumn after the foliage has been killed by frost. Remove and dispose of all cut material — do not compost peony foliage, as it may harbor Botrytis spores that cause botrytis blight. Deadhead spent individual flowers by snapping off at the base of the flower stem if a tidier appearance is preferred. Stakes can be removed in autumn with the cut stems.

Pruning Schedule

fall

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans