Finding and Buying Beautiful Japanese Peony Trees for Your Garden

Japanese peony trees also known as tree peonies or woody peonies are gorgeous additions to any garden. Their large, lush blooms in vibrant colors appear in late spring before the leaves emerge, providing a welcome pop of color after a long winter. Japanese peony trees are slow growing, long-lived plants that can bring beauty to your garden for decades. If you’re looking to add one of these stunning specimens to your outdoor space, here’s what you need to know about finding and choosing the right Japanese peony tree for sale.

A Brief Overview of Japanese Peony Trees

While most peonies are herbaceous perennials Japanese peony trees form woody stems that don’t die back to the ground each winter. They can grow up to 10 feet tall but more commonly reach 4-5 feet in height and width. The flowers emerge directly on the woody branches in spring before the foliage appears.

Japanese peony trees offer some key advantages over herbaceous peonies:

• Longer bloom time, often up to a month
• Flowers are held above the foliage for maximum visibility
• Less prone to foliar diseases
• Lower maintenance without the need to cut back stems each fall

They can be grown in USDA zones 4-9, thriving with cold winters and moderate summers. Given their slow growth habit, it’s best to purchase Japanese peony trees that are at least 2-3 years old. This will allow you to enjoy flowers sooner than growing them from a 1 year old plant or seed.

Where to Find Japanese Peony Trees for Sale

Due to their popularity, Japanese peony trees are offered by many mail order nurseries that specialize in peonies and unusual plants. Local garden centers may carry a few varieties, but selection is often limited. Here are some of the best sources to find a wide variety of healthy, robust Japanese peony trees for your garden:

• Specialty mail order nurseries: These businesses focus specifically on peonies, including a wide selection of Japanese tree peony varieties. They often grow and propagate the plants themselves. A few reputable nurseries to consider are Solaris Farms, Cricket Hill Garden, and Adelman Peony Gardens.

• Online marketplaces: Sites like Etsy allow small growers and nurseries to sell plants directly. Listings often include detailed information on plant size, age, and growing conditions. Shop owner reviews can help identify the most reliable sellers.

• Local nurseries: Your local independent garden center may carry a few tree peony varieties, usually in limited quantities. This allows you to choose plants in person before purchasing. Offerings will be more limited than online or mail order.

• Plant catalogs: Reputable companies like White Flower Farm and Bluestone Perennials offer a selection of Japanese tree peonies by mail order. Plants purchased this way are sight unseen, but you can read plant descriptions and growing info.

What to Look for When Buying Japanese Peony Trees

To ensure you get healthy plants that will thrive, here’s what to look for when buying Japanese peony trees:

• Plant size: Opt for at least 2-3 year old grafted plants, which have the best chance of blooming shortly after planting. Younger plants may take 2-3 years to flower.

• Time of year: Purchase container-grown plants in spring or order bare root plants in fall for planting the following spring. Buying at the right time reduces transplant stress.

• Root system: Bare root plants should have plump roots with no dried out or mushy spots. Container plants should be well rooted but not pot bound.

• Graft union: For grafted plants, look for a healthy graft union with no gaps or scars. This is where the desired flowering variety is joined to the rootstock.

• Foliage: Avoid plants with yellow, spotted, or curling leaves, which may indicate pests, disease, or poor care. Look for fresh green leaves.

• Reputation: Buy from reputable nurseries known for quality plants and customer service in case any issues arise after purchasing.

Popular Japanese Peony Tree Varieties to Consider

With hundreds of varieties to choose from, selecting the right Japanese peony tree can be tricky. Some popular, readily available options to consider include:

• ‘Shimadaijin’ – Vibrant magenta-pink with yellow stamens. Fragrant blossoms. Grows 3-4 feet tall. Early to midseason bloomer.

• ‘Yanling Zhu’ – Huge rose-red semi-double flowers up to 10 inches wide with golden center flares. 4 feet tall. Mid to late season.

• ‘Renkaku’ – Large, pure white double flowers. Compact at just 3 feet tall. Profuse early season blooms with light fragrance.

• ‘Kinshi’ – Pale yellow semi-double blooms with deeper golden center flares. Prolific flowering on a 4 foot plant. Very fragrant.

• ‘Shima Nishiki’ – Dramatic bi-colored flowers in red and white. Grows 4 feet tall. Blooms late spring.

Be sure to research bloom time, flower color, size, fragrance and other traits to choose the right tree peony for your needs. Most sellers provide detailed plant descriptions to help you pick the perfect variety.

Caring for Japanese Peony Trees

To keep your new tree peony thriving, provide care and growing conditions that meet its needs:

• Sun: At least 6 hours of full sun is best. Morning sun is ideal.

• Soil: Grow in rich, well-draining soil. Amend clay soils with compost.

• Water: Water regularly until established. Mature plants are quite drought tolerant.

• Fertilizer: Apply slow release fertilizer each spring. Avoid high nitrogen products.

• Pruning: Very little pruning needed other than removing dead wood or crossing branches.

• Support: Stake larger varieties while young to prevent flopping blooms.

With the proper care, your Japanese peony tree will reward you with stunning blossoms year after year. Take time to select healthy plants from reputable sellers, and you’ll be enjoying their beauty in your garden for decades to come.