Paeonia suffruticosa 'Lilith' is a deciduous, woody shrub that defies the typical peony expectation: unlike herbaceous peonies that vanish each winter, tree peonies retain their woody stems year after year, gradually building into a substantial landscape presence. Hardy in zones 4 through 8, it grows 3 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, producing large, fragrant flowers (6 to 8 inches across) with showy petals and good cut-flower potential. Tree peonies bloom in May in most regions, though some sources report flowering as early as April or extending into summer, and they attract butterflies while resisting deer and drought. This is a plant that rewards patience with decades of blooms and a woody structure that anchors the garden like a small ornamental tree.
Partial Sun
Moderate
4-8
60in H x 48in W
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Moderate
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Tree peonies carry an air of permanence that annual flowers can never match. Their woody stems persist through winter, growing thicker and more substantial each year, eventually forming multi-stemmed shrubs that rival small trees in presence. The flowers themselves are architectural marvels, ranging across diverse colors including reds, pinks, purples, whites, and yellows, with forms from single petals to romantic doubles and semi-doubles. Unlike their herbaceous cousins that require careful spring cleanup, tree peonies need almost no pruning except to remove dead wood, making them genuinely low-maintenance once established.
Tree peonies function as ornamental shrubs in the landscape, valued for their large, fragrant, showy flowers that serve as excellent cut flowers. Their woody structure and moderate size make them suitable for hedging or as focal points in gardens where a semi-permanent, low-maintenance shrub is desired. The persistent woody framework allows them to be used in mixed borders and perennial gardens in a way that herbaceous peonies cannot, providing winter structure and architectural interest long after herbaceous plants have collapsed.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Tree peonies require minimal pruning compared to most shrubs. Do not cut back the woody stems after frost, as they form the permanent framework of the plant. In early spring, remove any dead wood or suckers at ground level. If a plant becomes leggy or overgrown, perform moderate pruning in early spring before new growth emerges. Larger shrubs may appreciate this intervention to maintain a fuller, more compact form.
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“The genus Paeonia takes its name from Paeon, physician of the gods in Greek mythology, who was credited with discovering the medicinal properties of these plants. Tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa and related woody species) represent a distinct branch of the peony family, differing fundamentally from herbaceous types by retaining woody stems that do not die back in winter. Many cultivars have been developed over centuries, particularly in Asia, with diverse flower forms ranging from single to semi-double to double blooms, creating an enormous palette of colors from red and pink to purple, white, and yellow. The genetic diversity within cultivated tree peonies reflects both intentional breeding and centuries of garden cultivation across Europe and Asia.”