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Bloom calendar
Paeonia rockii
Tree peony (woody)
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Tree peony (woody)
- Height × spread: 6–7 ft × 5–7 ft (1.8–2.1 m × 1.5–2.1 m)
- Bloom window: mid spring
- Color & flower form: white to pale pink with maroon basal blotches; semi‑double to single
- Fragrance: 2
- USDA hardiness: 4–8
- Origin: China
- Pet safety: avoid
How it differs
- Distinct dark blotches at petal bases set it apart from other tree peonies.
- Forms a larger shrub than typical herbaceous peonies.
- Blooms earlier than Chinese herbaceous peonies.
- Prefers light afternoon shade in hot regions.
Strengths
- Showy flowers with strong visual contrast.
- Hardy woody shrub for zones 4 to 8 when well sited.
- Long‑lived and architectural.
Care in one minute
Site: morning sun with afternoon shade; shelter from strong winds.
Soil: deep, fertile, well‑drained; neutral to slightly alkaline.
Water: steady moisture in spring; less in summer once established.
Feeding: light compost in early spring.
Pruning: remove dead or crossing wood after bloom; avoid hard pruning.
Winter: mulch soil lightly; do not cut stems down.
Watch‑outs
- Petals can scorch in hot, dry winds or intense afternoon sun.
- Avoid poorly drained soils.
- Remove any suckers from under the graft on grafted plants.
Best uses (tags)
Provenance note
Native to central Chinese mountains and a key parent of the Gansu group of tree peonies.
References
- Trees and Shrubs Online: Paeonia rockii
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Tree peony overview
- ASPCA: Peony toxicity (Paeonia spp.)
