Peony vs Tree peony
A garden peony dies to the ground every winter and comes back from its roots; a tree peony is a woody shrub, about five feet, that keeps its branches and must never be cut down. Tree peonies flower a few weeks earlier, with even larger, silkier flowers, in colours garden peonies lack, yellow among them, and they take part shade. Garden peonies want full sun, and their heavy double heads often need a ring of support. Either can outlive the gardener who planted it.
 PeonyPaeonia lactiflora |  Tree peonyPaeonia suffruticosa | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 3 ft tall, 3 ft wide | 5 ft tall, 5 ft wide |
| Plant | 3 ft apart | 4 ft apart |
| Zones | 3 to 8 | 4 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun | Full sun to part shade |
| Soil | Well-drained, rich fertility | Well-drained, rich fertility |
| Flowers | Late May to late June; pink, white, red | Early May to late May; pink, red, white, purple, yellow |
| Leaves | Medium, herbaceous | Bold, deciduous |
| Job in a bed | Specimen | Specimen |
| Pets | Toxic (mild) | Toxic (mild) |
| Deer | No record | No record |
| Native | No | No |
| Spread | Low risk | Low risk |
Rows where they differ are marked. Flowering times are for zone 5.
Which to choose
- Choose peony for colder gardens (to zone 3) and a smaller space (3 ft against 5 ft).
- Choose tree peony for more shade and more height (5 ft against 3 ft).
Can they grow together?
Yes: they grow in the same conditions. What tree peony brings beside peony: bold leaves against its medium ones; tall enough (5 ft) to stand behind it. They share full sun and zones 4 to 8.
Read more: all about peony, and all about tree peony, each with a bed the planner designed around it.