Tree Peony / Tree Paeony

Paeonia Yellow

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: fertile, moisture-retentive yet well-drained
• Rate of growth: vigorous
• Flowering period: April to May
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Tree peonies, the Chinese national flower, are enjoying a revival. Prized for their blowsy, glamourous blooms and glossy, deeply cut foliage, peonies are held in deep affection by many gardeners, despite their short flowering season and vulnerability to peony wilt in damp weather. It's easy to see why. Fabulous, double, cup-shaped flowers of up to 15cm (6in) across in late spring and early summer set among deep green leaves make this yellow tree peony a gorgeous specimen for a partially sunny border. Try planting early spring bulbs around the base of the shrub to prolong the season of interest.
  
  
• Garden care: Protect from cold winds and early morning sun. Support the branches of young shrubs with canes to prevent the massive flowerheads from being battered by rain. Tree peonies are hungry feeders, so ensure that container-grown specimens receive a top-dressing of a slow-release fertiliser in spring. In the border apply a top-dressing of a balanced, slow-release fertiliser around the base of the plant in early spring and mulch with well-rotted garden compost or manure. If the plant shows signs of collapse or the leaves become spotty, this may be a symptom of peony botrytis. Remove affected leaves immediately. In the autumn, cut off all of the foliage and dispose of it to avoid reinfection the following spring. The older stems of tree peonies have a tendency to become brittle and snap, so cut these back to the ground in autumn every two or three years.
  
  

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