Plant Database / Chinese peony plant care

Chinese peony

Paeonia lactiflora

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Chinese peony is part of the Paeonia (Peony) genus and its scientific name is Paeonia lactiflora. The lactiflora part of this plant's botanical name means 'with milk-coloured flowers'.

To destinguish a lactiflora from other species of peony feel the edge of the leaf, if you can feel small bumps, that you can’t see, along the leaf margin then it is a lactiflora. They are also usuallly hairless, the leaves are divided in 3 and then each again into 3, the surface a darker green compared to a lighter green on the lower surface.
The flowers are often scented, double semi double or single held on bronze coloured stems

It is a flower that typically grows as a perennial, which is defined as a plant that matures and completes its lifecycle over the course of three years or more. Chinese peony is known for its erect habit and growing to a height of approximately 60.0 cm (1.95 feet). Expect blooming to occur in late spring. Popular varieties of Chinese peony with home gardeners are Sarah Bernhardt, Karl Rosenfield, Bowl of Beauty, Duchesse de Nemours, and Kansas.

China is believed to be where Chinese peony originates from.

Typically, Chinese peony is normally fairly low maintenance and can thus be quite easy to grow - only a basic level of care is required throughout the year to ensure it thrives. Being aware of the basic growing conditions this plant likes (soil, sun and water) will result in a strong and vibrant plant.

This plant info is provided by the myfolia gardener's wiki. All details about Chinese peony have been kindly provided by our members.

How to grow Chinese peony

Partial Sun
+
Medium

For winter, cut down to below soil level (so: cover with a thin layer of soil). It will grow back in spring.
Lactiflora has side buds from the main flowering stem that open later to extend the season
The sead pods are also attractive if left on the plant to mature

Try to plant in a location that enjoys partial sun and remember to water moderately. Use Zone 2 - Zone 8 as your guideline for the appropriate climate for this plant. Chinese peony requires a soil ph of 6.1 - 7.8 meaning it does best in weakly acidic soil - weakly alkaline soil. Keep in mind when planting that Chinese peony is thought of as very hardy, so this plant will tend to survive through freezing conditions.

Growing Chinese peony from seed

Transplanting Chinese peony

Peonies enjoy the sun and have deep long roots to allow them to survive in dry situations.

Companion plants for Chinese peony

These plants have been known to grow well alongside Chinese peony so consider planting:

Repellent plants for Chinese peony

These plants will not grow well with Chinese peony so avoid planting these within close proximity:

Common Chinese peony problems

These problems, diseases and pests are known to affect Chinese peony plants:

In wet weather the leaves are prone to blight. Pull off and burn infected parts.

Chinese peony Folklore & Trivia

It is often said that once planted; a peony cannot be moved. This is not entirely true but if you need to move yours do it in the autumn rather than the spring so as to be sure to not disturb it as it starts into growth very early in the spring. Lift the plant with as much of the soil as possible and be prepared for a poor show of flowers in the first season after the relocation

Other names for Chinese peony

Peony

Chinese peony care instructions

Category The lifecycle that this Chinese peony exhibits. Perennial Difficulty How easy is Chinese peony to grow? Easy 2/5
Lifecycle The lifecycle that this Chinese peony exhibits. Perennial Growth Habit What shape or habit does Chinese peony grow into? Erect
Hardiness How frost hardy is Chinese peony? Very Hardy Country of Origin Where did Chinese peony come from? China
Mature Height How tall does Chinese peony grow? 60.0 cm / 1.95 feet Mature Spread How wide does Chinese peony grow? 60.0 cm / 1.95 feet
USDA Zone Range Which zones does Chinese peony grow best in? Zone 2 to Zone 8 pH Range The level of acidity for Chinese peony. 6.1 - 7.8
Water Requirements How much water does Chinese peony require? Medium Nitrogen Requirements How much nitrogen fertilizer does Chinese peony need? Help build our wiki!
Soil What sort of soil should I plant Chinese peony in? Help build our wiki! Sun How much sunlight does Chinese peony need to grow? Partial Sun
Can Sow Direct? Can Chinese peony be sown directly? No Sowing Depth How deep to plant Chinese peony? Help build our wiki!
Sowing Distance Apart How far apart to plant Chinese peony? Help build our wiki! Sowing Row Distance Apart How far apart to plant rows of Chinese peony? Help build our wiki!
Ideal Germination Temperature Range What temperatures does Chinese peony need in order to germinate? Help build our wiki! to Help build our wiki! Growing Temperatures What temperatures are best to grow Chinese peony in? -45°C / -49°F to Help build our wiki!
Planting Distance Apart How far apart to plant Chinese peony seedlings. Help build our wiki! Planting Row Distance Apart How far apart to plant rows of Chinese peony seedlings. Help build our wiki!
Bloom Time When will Chinese peony bloom? Late Spring Harvest Time When is Chinese peony ready for harvest? Help build our wiki!
Pruning Time When should I prune Chinese peony? Help build our wiki!

How long does Chinese peony take to grow?

These estimates for how long Chinese peony takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world. Start logging and journaling your observations to participate!

Days to Germination How long does it take Chinese peony to germinate? 1 days Average 1 days | Min 1 days | Max 1 days (1)
Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Chinese peony? + days Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Days to Maturity How long until Chinese peony is ready for harvest / bloom? + 971 days Average 971 days | Min 639 days | Max 1404 days (8)
Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Chinese peony? = days

Footnotes

Popular varieties of Chinese peony

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