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Paeonia lutea
Yellow Tree Peony
Yunnan, China (scrub, open woodlands; 8000-11500 ft / 2400-3500 m; Delavay 1882)
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Overview
Paeonia lutea (now often treated as P. delavayi var. lutea spp.) is a deciduous shrub (tree peony) reaching 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) tall with a spread of 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) and an upright to arching, multi-stemmed habit. Native to Yunnan, China, this species produces smaller, nodding yellow flowers partially hidden by the foliage. The biternately compound leaves are deeply divided, medium green, with a slightly glaucous underside. The flowers are single, cup-shaped, 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) across, pale to deep yellow, nodding downward among the foliage in May-June. Growth rate is slow. Hardy to zone 5. Important as a parent in hybridization—crossed extensively with P. suffruticosa to produce yellow and orange-toned hybrid tree peonies (Lemoine hybrids and others). The nodding flower habit means the blooms are not always visible from a distance.
Native Range
Paeonia lutea is native to Yunnan, China, in scrub and open woodlands at 8,000-11,500 feet (2,400-3,500 m). Introduced to Western cultivation by Abbé Delavay in 1882.Suggested Uses
Planted as a specimen or in mixed borders at 4-5 foot (1.2-1.5 m) spacing. Important breeding parent for yellow/orange hybrid tree peonies. The nodding flowers are not always visible from a distance—site where close viewing is possible. Hardier than P. ludlowii. Blooms on old wood. Not suitable for exposed frost pockets.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 6'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years
Bloom Information
Single cup-shaped yellow flowers 2-3 inches (5-8 cm), nodding among foliage, May-June. Bloom duration is 2-3 weeks. Flowers partially concealed by foliage.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pale to deep yellow; single cup-shaped 2-3 inches; nodding among foliage; May-JunFoliage Description
Medium green; biternately compound deeply divided; slightly glaucous undersideGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in full sun to partial shade in deep, fertile, well-drained soil (pH 6.0-7.5). Hardy to zone 5—hardier than P. ludlowii. Plant graft union 4-6 inches below soil. Shelter from late spring frost. Does not transplant well once established.Pruning
Minimal pruning. Remove dead wood in late winter. Do not cut to ground—blooms on old wood. Remove spent flowers after bloom.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Maintenance Level
lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons