Peonies are among the most popular perennial flowers, prized for their lush, romantic blooms and lovely fragrance. Gardeners have several types of peonies to choose from, but two standouts are itoh peonies and tree peonies. While they share some similarities, there are also key differences between these peony varieties.
In this detailed comparison, we’ll look at the unique features of itoh and tree peonies to help you decide which is best for your garden.
What Are Itoh and Tree Peonies?
Itoh peonies also known as intersectional peonies are a hybrid cross between herbaceous peonies and tree peonies. They were first developed in the 1950s by Japanese horticulturist Toichi Itoh. Itoh peonies exhibit the best qualities of both parents, resulting in lush, floriferous plants with gorgeous blooms.
Tree peonies are woody shrubs that have been cultivated in China and Japan for centuries. Unlike herbaceous peonies tree peonies maintain their woody stems through the winter. Mature plants can reach up to 5 feet tall. Their huge flowers come in shades of pink, red purple, yellow and white.
Both itoh and tree peonies produce flowers in late spring into early summer, blessing the garden with their beauty at a time when many other perennials are just leafing out. Let’s look closer at how these peony types compare.
Key Differences Between Itoh and Tree Peonies
While itoh and tree peonies share some common traits, there are several notable differences between them:
-
Growth Habit: Itoh peonies are herbaceous perennials that die back to the ground every winter. Tree peonies maintain woody stems year-round.
-
Height: On average, tree peonies grow much taller, up to 5 feet, while itoh peonies typically reach 2-3 feet tall.
-
Bloom Time: Itoh peonies tend to bloom a bit later, in May and June, compared to tree peonies that bloom in late April to early May.
-
Flowers: Itoh peonies have slightly smaller blooms than tree peonies, but they produce more flowers per plant, creating a fuller display.
-
Fragrance: Tree peonies are renowned for their intense, sweet perfume. Itoh peonies have a lighter, more subtle scent.
-
Cold Hardiness: Itoh peonies are generally hardier and can withstand colder winter temperatures than tree peonies.
-
Propagation: Itoh peonies are divided in fall like other herbaceous types. Tree peonies are grafted onto rootstock.
-
Price: Tree peonies typically cost more than itoh peonies due to their more intensive propagation and woody growth.
Similarities Between Itoh and Tree Peonies
Despite their differences, itoh peonies and tree peonies share several common positive attributes:
-
Large, lush blooms: Both produce absolutely gorgeous flowers up to 10 inches across.
-
Diverse colors: They come in a wide spectrum of colors including pink, coral, purple, red, white, yellow and bicolors.
-
Low maintenance: When sited properly, both are relatively easy care, unfussy plants.
-
Long-lived: With proper care, tree and itoh peonies can thrive for decades or even a century.
-
Pest and animal resistance: Deer and rabbits usually leave peonies alone. They have few insect or disease problems.
-
Good cut flowers: Their big, showy blooms make stunning cut flowers.
-
Lovely foliage: Their attractive leaves provide structure and interest beyond the flowering period.
Climate and Garden Considerations
When choosing between itoh and tree peonies, keep your specific climate and garden conditions in mind:
-
Hardiness zones: Itoh peonies thrive in zones 3-8, while tree peonies need zones 5-9. Itohs can work better for colder regions.
-
Planting site: The taller tree peonies make excellent specimen plants, while lower growing itohs are nice along borders, walkways or in mixed beds.
-
Flowering time: Itohs bloom 3-4 weeks later than tree peonies, extending the peony display.
-
Fragrance: For extremely fragrant flowers, tree peonies are the winner over itohs with their lighter scent.
-
Flower abundance: Itohs produce many more blooms per plant, up to 50 on mature plants. Tree peonies have fewer, but larger blooms.
Growing Tips for Itoh and Tree Peonies
Here are some key tips to grow healthy, thriving itoh and tree peonies:
-
Plant in full sun (at least 6 hours daily) in fertile, well-draining soil. They prefer clay loam soil enriched with compost.
-
Space plants 3-4 feet apart to allow for growth. Do not crowd them.
-
Plant tree peony graft unions 2-3 inches below the soil. Plant itoh peonies just 1 inch deep.
-
Water first year plants regularly to establish. Mature plants are quite drought tolerant.
-
Apply a balanced organic fertilizer or compost in early spring. Avoid high nitrogen chemical fertilizers.
-
Stake taller tree peony plants while in bloom to prevent flopping.
-
In cold climates, wrap tree peony stems with burlap over winter.
-
Divide congested itoh clumps every 3-5 years in fall to rejuvenate them.
-
Watch for signs of botrytis blight and treat with fungicides if found.
Which is Better for Your Garden – Itoh or Tree Peonies?
When it comes to itoh vs. tree peonies, there’s no definitive “better” option. Gardeners need to weigh their own climate, space and needs when deciding.
Those in cold climates may find itoh peonies better suited and more winter hardy. Gardeners who want fragrant flowers will likely prefer tree peonies for their intense perfume.
If you have room for a showstopping specimen plant, a tree peony is a great choice. For prolific blooms and a longer bloom season, itoh peonies are hard to beat.
In the end, every gardener can benefit from adding one or both of these exceptional peonies. With their beauty, variety and multi-season appeal, peonies offer something special to treasure in the landscape.
The Best Peonies For Your Garden
Peonies have been a garden favorite for centuries. This can be both a blessing and a curse… With such an amazing selection of peonies available, how are you supposed to know which one is right for you and your garden?
Choosing the right Peony is important, because these resilient perennial plants can live for generations. Peonies are easy to care for, deer-resistant, and are generally free from disease.
There are several factors to consider when choosnig which type of peony is best for your property:
- First, well help you understand the two types of peonies that we offer: Garden Peonies (also known as herbaceous perennial peonies) and Itoh Hybrid Peonies.
- Next, well discuss important natural factors, including location, climate, sunlight.
- Then we cover bloom types, color, and bloom times.
- Last but not least, well review propagation techniques and pricing.
By the time youve read this article, youll be able to confidently shop for your next peony purchase.
Natural Factors for Growing Peonies: Location, Climate, and Sunlight
Now that you know the differences between the two main Peonies, let’s approach your decision from a facts-only point of view.
Location and Climate: If you live in the deep south or the far north, temperatures and humidity may rule your Peony selection.
If you live in a northern location with a shorter, cooler garden season, you’ll do better with Garden Peonies. Garden Peonies are most popular in Zones 3 – 8, and may need a bit of extra care within the extreme edges of their range.
- If you live in the deep south, one trick to getting them to behave just right, is to choose an early-blooming variety that will come into flower before the heat of summer hits.
- Likewise, a late-blooming Garden Peony is bound to be more successful in the northernmost portions of zone 3, where temperatures will have warmed up enough for them to thrive at their peak bloom-time.
If you live in Zones 5 – 8, you can get great results from any Peony.
Available Sunlight: While Garden Peonies need full sunlight, Itohs prefer dappled sunlight and can even tolerate part-sun. As a general rule of thumb, the farther south you live, the more your garden is exposed to sun and humidity. In hotter, sunnier locations, you’ll need to give your peonies more space for increased air circulation and maybe a bit less sun than usual.
PETITTI Peony Spotlight | How to Grow and Care For Itoh, Bush, and Tree Peonies
FAQ
Are Itoh peonies worth it?
The latest introductions may be more expensive. Yet, they are really worth the investment! Similar to herbaceous peonies, Itoh peonies require a good well-drained garden soil and a daily minimum of 6 hours of sun. They can be transplanted year-round if bought potted or, preferably, bare roots in the fall.
What is the difference between a peony and a tree peony?
The key difference between a peony and a tree peony lies in their stems and overall growth habit.
Why is Itoh peony so expensive?
When the Itoh peony was first introduced to the nursery trade and made available to the public, there were so few available that the price ran over $1,000 for one plant. This high price tag reflected the time required to grow these plants to the point that they could yield divisions.
How do I know if my peony is a tree peony?
Tree peonies are shrubby plants that can grow to 1.5 metres in height in width, though some can reach twice that height. Herbaceous peonies are smaller growing plants, usually reaching between 0.5 and 1 metre in height and forming a bush.
Are Itoh peonies the same as tree peonies?
Itoh Peonies or Intersectional Peonies are crosses between the herbaceous and tree peonies. These peonies die back to the ground in the fall which means that the new buds in the spring are less likely to be killed by frost than tree peonies. Itohs have the same beautiful flowers that tree peonies have.
Are tree peonies more expensive than Itoh peonies?
Tree peonies are grafted onto rootstock to propagate. Price: Due to their woody growth and intensive propagation method, tree peonies are typically more expensive to purchase than itoh peonies. While itoh and tree peonies have some distinct differences, they also share common traits:
How big do Itoh peonies get?
Growth habit: Itoh peonies are herbaceous, meaning they die back to the ground each winter. Tree peonies have woody stems that persist over winter. Height: Tree peonies grow significantly taller, up to 5 feet, while itoh peonies typically reach 2-3 feet tall. Bloom time: Itoh peonies tend to bloom slightly later in the season than tree peonies.
How many types of Itoh peonies are there?
There are at least 46 recognized varieties of Itoh peonies out there. The first Itoh peony variety came into existence in 1948 after a thousand attempts at cross-breeding herbaceous and tree peonies. They have a huge color selection and they feature bicolored peonies. 24. Peony ‘Bartzella’ It has a luscious, glowing, lemon yellow color.
Why are Itoh peonies so popular?
Dive in and uncover why Itoh Peonies are becoming a popular pick among gardening enthusiasts! The Itoh Peony is a hybrid flower created by Japanese horticulturist Toichi Itoh, combining the best traits of herbaceous and tree peonies.
What zone do Itoh peonies grow in?
Itoh peonies thrive in zones 3-8, while tree peonies need zone 5-9. Itoh peonies are great for colder regions. The taller tree peonies make a dramatic specimen plant, while lower growing itoh peonies work nicely along borders or walkways. Itoh peonies bloom slightly later for those wanting an extended peony display.