Peony Types

Herbaceous Hybrid Peony

(also known as bush peonies) die to the ground in Winter.  They re-emerge in March, or when the snow melts. Many find that they are deer resistant, but not always. Peonies are long lived, minimal care plants.

Hybrids are crosses between two or more species.  They bring additional colors, foliage types, and earlier bloom season.  Most hybrids produce only one bloom per stem.

Tree Peony

Tree peonies are called tree peonies for the woody stems that they have. Tree peonies have woody stems that defoliate in the fall, but the woody stems stay intact, above the ground. They tend to bloom earlier and with larger flowers than the bush peony. They are generally slow to increase. Some are sold as named varieties; however, they are frequently sold by color. Tree peonies can have a height as little as 20″ tall, all the way up to over 8′ tall, depending on the plant habit, maturity, and pruning.
All of our tree peonies are field grown on their own roots. Some other growers use a quick way to increase tree peonies by grafting a piece from the tree peony parent plant onto a piece of herbaceous root to provide a quick-start energy supply for the tree peony. Sometimes the vigorous herbaceous root takes over to the detriment of the tree peony. In some cases, the herbaceous peony will come up and bloom beside the tree peony. Own-root peonies are also an advantage if the top is damaged by serve freezing or accidental cut down- the roots will send up more buds and stems that will be the same variety as planted.