Peony plants offer big, fluffy, fragrant flowers in a wide range of colors, forms and sizes. These resilient, long-lived (some to 100 years) perennial bushes have a history of popularity as a garden plant.
There are three types of peonies: tree, Itoh (intersectional), and herbaceous (bush). Compare them in detail here: Types of Peonies.
Tree peonies can reach 4 to 7 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide. Itoh and herbaceous varieties grow 1 to 3 feet tall and wide.
What Does a Peony Leaf Look Like? A Detailed Guide to Identifying This Beautiful Foliage
Peonies are beloved garden plants, prized for their lush, romantic blooms in shades of pink, red, and white. But peonies are more than just flowers – their distinctive foliage is an attractive feature in its own right. If you want to identify and care for peonies, it’s important to know what peony leaves look like.
In this article, we’ll explore the key characteristics of peony foliage so you can recognize these plants anywhere. We’ll cover leaf shape, color, texture, and other identifying details. Whether you’re new to growing peonies or want to appreciate the beauty of their leaves, read on for an in-depth guide to peony leaf identification.
The most recognizable feature of peony leaves is their divided, feather-like shape. However, the specific leaf form varies among the four main types of peonies:
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Tree peony leaves are wider than they are tall, with 5-9 deeply lobed, rounded segments. The overall leaf shape is oval.
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Herbaceous peony leaves are finely dissected into many narrow pointed leaflets in a lacy pattern. Their fern-like look is very distinctive.
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Itoh peony leaves have broader lobes like a tree peony but are more deeply cut.
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Intersectional peony leaves combine traits of both tree and herbaceous types, with rounded but deeply divided segments.
In general, peony leaves emerge on the stems alternately rather than in opposite pairs. They have long leaf stems (petioles) ranging from 4-8 inches in length. Mature leaf size ranges from 2-6 inches long depending on variety.
Leaf Color
Peony foliage starts out pale green when young but soon develops into a lush medium to dark green. The new growth and young leaves often display a reddish tinge that fades as they mature.
Some varieties may take on bluish-green or yellowish-green hues. The leaf edges can also be red or purple tinged. But generally, the leaves are a deep, vivid green that makes a beautiful backdrop for the flowers.
Leaf Texture and Surface
Peony leaves have a coarse, leathery texture. Their surfaces tend to be glossy and slightly stiff. When you touch peony foliage, you’ll notice a rough, sandpapery feeling due to tiny bumps on the leaves. These bumps are sometimes tinged reddish in color.
The underside of the leaves may have fine hairs, especially on young foliage. The prominent veins and petioles also showcase the signature reddish coloration. This is due to a pigment called anthocyanin.
Arrangement on Stems
As mentioned above, peony leaves emerge singly along the stems rather than in opposite pairs. They extend outward on long petioles, giving the plant a full, billowy look.
The leaves are arranged in an alternating pattern, distributed evenly along the stems. This display allows maximum exposure to sunlight to power growth.
Seasonal Changes
Peony foliage persists through most of the growing season. The leaves reach mature size by early summer when the flowers bloom. In fall, herbaceous peony leaves turn pale yellow or brown before dropping when the plants become dormant.
Tree peonies keep some of their leaves through winter before the new growth emerges again each spring. Leaf buds form at the base in fall, ready to generate fresh leaves when conditions warm.
Now that you know how to identify peony leaves, you can recognize these plants in any garden. Look for the deeply cut, divided leaves with red-tinged stems. Proper care for the foliage will keep your peonies healthy and ready to flower. Taking time to appreciate the elegance of peony leaves will give you a new appreciation for these garden classics.
Do deer eat peonies?
Fortunately, they are deer and rabbit resistant.
Do peonies require complex staking?
Many should be staked to support heavy blooms, especially if you live in a rainy climate. Herbaceous varieties can be supported with a peony ring, while tree peonies are more suited for the use of bamboo stakes and natural twine. If this sounds like too much hassle, there are many varieties that feature strong stems that don’t require staking.
In very cold climates, they may benefit from a loose winter mulching with organic matter such as pine needles or shredded bark. Keep mulch a few inches away from the base of the plant. Remove the mulch in early spring to allow new growth at the soil surface. For tree peonies especially, winter protection with burlap and a 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch (pulled aside in the spring) is wise in Zone 4 and colder parts of Zone 5.
Peony Growing Guide!!! How to Plant, Grow, Harvest, Divide, & Transplant Peonies
FAQ
How do you identify a peony by leaf?
The herbaceous peony leaves are more pointed and usually come to a defined tip. The tree peony leaves are more spreading and usually have small cuts in them.
How do I know if I have a tree peony?
The tree peony, Paeonia suffruticosa, has upright flowers that bloom above the foliage. And, unlike the more common herbaceous peonies, which flop over if not staked, tree peonies bloom on graceful woody stems.
What is the downside of peonies?
Easily the most common peony problem is that they flop over. Peony blooms are large compared to their stems. Add some rain or a windy day and they end up bloomside down on the ground. Installing plant supports early in the season is the best way to prevent flopping.
What are peony leaves like?
They have compound, deeply lobed leaves and large, often fragrant flowers, in colors ranging from purple and pink to red, white or yellow, in late spring and early summer. The flowers have a short blooming season, usually lasting for only 7–10 days. Peonies are popular garden plants in temperate regions.
What do peony leaves look like?
Petioles are typically 4-8 inches long. Leaves are pale green when new, maturing to a deep green color. They range from 2-6 inches long depending on variety. One of the most distinctive features of peony leaves is their divided, feather-like appearance. While all peony leaves have a lacy, divided look, the specific leaf shape varies by peony type:
Do peonies have rounded leaves?
Herbaceous peonies typically have larger, more oval-shaped leaves, while tree peonies tend to have smaller, more pointed leaves. The shape of the leaves can also vary depending on the variety of peony. Some varieties may have more pointed leaves, while others may have more rounded leaves.
Are peony leaves glossy or matte?
In conclusion, peony leaves can be either glossy or matte. Glossy leaves are thicker, smoother and shinier, and have a deeper hue and brighter sheen. Matte leaves, on the other hand, are more porous and absorb moisture more easily. Both types of leaves should be watered and pruned regularly to keep them healthy.
Do peony leaves change color?
Yes, peony leaves can change color throughout the year. In spring and summer, they are usually a vibrant green color. As fall approaches, they may turn yellow or reddish before eventually dropping off in winter. 3. Can the shape of peony leaves vary between different varieties? Yes, the shape of peony leaves can vary between different varieties.
How do you identify a peony plant?
Understanding the leaf structure of peonies is key to identifying the plant. Most noticeably, peony leaves are often divided into three leaflets – a characteristic that sets them apart from many other flowering plants. The glossy and dark green leaflets range in size from 3 to 8 inches long, further contributing to this plant’s striking appearance.
What do peonies look like in the fall?
Undersides of leaves may be slightly hairy. Autumn color is minimal – leaves turn pale yellow or brown before dropping. Herbaceous peonies go dormant, losing leaves in fall. Woody types retain some leaves through winter. Leaf buds for the next year form at the base in fall and generate new growth each spring.