PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS..

PAEONIA SUFFRUTICOSA ~~~
CHINESE TREE PEONY

Usual height is 3’ to 5’ tall; leaves to 1 ½” long.

All are 3-5 years old, divided or grafted with 1 - 3 top stems.

Good for Zones 3-8

Only preordered Peonies are shipped from China!


Tree Peonies are classified as either Erect,  Expanding, or Semi-expanding:

Erect, expanding and semi expanding is in reference to total plant shape.

Erect - is where the plant will tower up, expanding briefly at the top,

Expanding  - is where the plant stays lower to the ground and expands.. branches out in a wide mound.
Semi expanding  - is a cross between the both.

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Height of 5-8 year old plants
:  High - 32"; Medium - 15.5"; Dwarf - 12"

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

These PLANTS are harvested from the grower in china, processed to pass customs and are ready to plant ASAP!

Peonies require moist (ABSOLUTELY NOT WET), loamy, humus-rich soil in full afternoon sun or very light shade.  Plant the thick, fleshy roots of the tree peony in Late October to early December as this allows ample time for strong root development before the ground freezes hard. You should plant these like you would plant tulips or Roses. Tree Peonies are considered a Late Fall Planted Crop.
They may be planted in spring if they have been cold held for at least 30 days.

We recommend - that dormant plants hydrated in wet sand for 12-24 hours before planting

Soil start – Fall or Spring Planting!

Before planting, incorporate humus and ample amounts of Bulb Meal Fertilizer Mix into the soil (peat & soil mix). Add some rocks or gravel also to promote good drainage.  If it is an acid soil, make certain enough lime has been add to make the soil slightly alkaline (pH 7-8.)  Mix a couple of trowels full of bone meal or super phosphate (You may wish to supplement the soil with Bulb Mix Fertilizer) at the bottom of the 8” – 12” hole, since these non-caustic fertilizers help to promote flower development.  The Graft is maybe wrapped in Spaghnum Moss and plastic.  This should be removed prior to planting.  Be sure to set each plant with the point of the graft Top about 4”- 6” below the surface of the soil.  Fill in with loamy soil, and press to eliminate air.  Add more soil, tamp again and add more soil leaving a depression around each specimen to hold water.  If you wish to add additional mulch, be sure to bait for rodents.

We are offering 2 planting instructions:  In ground (above) or containerize until spring. 

If the ground is not frozen, and nighttime temps are still above freezing (45-50 degrees or more), it is preferred to plant in soil. This is also good for Spring Installation.
 

For Ground planting only –After following instructions above, water deeply and apply peat moss, or bark mulch to help conserve moisture and keep the surface of the soil cool in hot weather. 
 

TREE PEONIES generally DO NOT LIKE IT WET – PLANT THEM, WATER ONCE, WALK AWAY!!!

If plants require a hydration, we recommend a  PRESOAK in wet sand - 12-24 hours only.

After planting, examine plants carefully and remove, with sharp pruning shears any dead or weakened wood.  Be sure to mark the location so you may monitor the plants progress.

For containerized planting: Over-wintering-

If the ground is frozen and night temperatures are consistently in the low 30’s, you may elect to containerize them for spring transplant.  Simply follow the directions above for preparing the brown paper / newspaper cone to receive bare root plant with the soil/ sand mix. You may also simply use the mail tube to also over-winter the plants or you may use a giant 33 gallon plastic trash can full of dry peat moss and sand.   A tube / Paper cone will moderate the temperature during winter better.. but with adequate peat / soil mix.. the plastic can should not cause the plants to sweat.  You can use the Priority Mail box that the plants were shipped in, for example.

 The Graft, if wrapped in Spaghnum Moss and plastic,  should be removed prior to planting / or winter storing. 

 Lay out a sheet of paper, and sprinkle amply dry soil, sand and bone mix on top.  Lay each plant in the soil mix (one per paper cone).  Be sure to cover the entire plant up to and above the crown with by dry soil mix in the box!  Do not water.  Roll up the plant into a cone, like a big cigar, label it with a marker, and set it aside.  Keep Containerized plants dry, dark and cold.

Containerized plants must be kept at temperatures consistent with your refrigerator  - no greater than 39 degrees and no colder that freezing (29 degrees).  Warmer temperatures (40 degrees) will force plants to start before they are ready.   You do not want to promote mold.  Be sure containerized plants are protected from animals.  Do not use any plastic – pot, bag, or garbage container, as this will trap moisture to the plant and cause rot / mold.  Plant must remain cold and dry until spring planting.  Select a spot where you can monitor the temperature of the container.  It is advisable to purchase a meat thermometer to check soil temps in the box.

WHAT IF I PREFER TO LEAVE THEM AS POTTED PLANTS?
It is okay to pot tree peonies.  Prepare the container with a mix of peat moss, sand, gravel, and time release fertilizer (miracle grow is okay).  Make a hole in the center of the pot, about 10" deep.  Be sure to select a pot that is ample size for the root stock.  Plant the peony with the crown at least 2" below the soil line.  Water and pack.  Mulch lightly.  Store the containers in an area where temps will be at least 30 degrees for the winter.  In warmer climates - the peony will start to grow.  Most peonies arrive dormant and have had a chill period. 

Once spring comes (tulips are up) it is most likely safe to move the potted plants outside to a afternoon sunny location.  Never over-water the plants.  If you do not see immediate leaf production, you can also safely prune the top stems down to about 3" above the crown. 

Should you decide to transplant in May, carefully remove plant, soil in all and put in final location as specified above.

Spring planting Over-wintered container - follow directions as above, as if you were planting it in the ground from the start. Do not remove plant from the cone.  You may cutaway box to top of graft only. You may also poke holes in bottom of box (score box sides) to promote faster deterioration & promote better drainage.  Try to Plant the cone/ box and all without disturbing the plant.
In spring the box will naturally rot away after planting. 

It is also okay to pot the peonies and hold them in an area where you can monitor the temperature.  Remember, they do not like it wet, yet we do not want them to dehydrate during winter either.

Tree peonies are very hardy and do not require winter protection once established. They must be planted deeply into the ground, however. The first winter after planting, it is advisable to mulch them heavily with a light, airy material, as straw or marsh hay. You may wish to salt the tree peonies with mothballs to prevent rodent damage.  Be sure other animals do not pick up the loose moth bait. As with other shrubs, feed with a balance food early each spring or in the very late fall, when leaves have dropped and plants have become dormant.

Your tree peony, once satisfied with the location you have selected should flower in 2-3 years depending on your Zone.  Enjoy! 

What to look for in the Spring?

If it has been a normal, wet snow winter, you should see leaves pop out when other trees bud.  The leafing will erupt from the ground, not necessarily from the old tip buds. If it was a dry, drought snow winter, (cold and not much snow), leafing out maybe much later in the Spring.  If they do not leaf out by the following September, they maybe damaged.  Damage may have occurred during the transport process from China or most likely damage occurring at your location.  If you planted them in a very shade loving / or wet spot, the root will rot and tend not to survive. Tree peonies do not like it wet!!!  Water with fertilizer perhaps once a month,  but not more than that.  NEVER SOAK THE TREE PEONY unless they need hydration.. and only in wet sand for 12-24 hours.!

If the plants do not leaf out, let me know in mid summer. 
If they leaf out only a little bit – then die back – THEY ARE FINE!!!
DO NOT DISTURB THE PLANT!!! In that case, they are acclimating to your region.

Tree Peonies do not characteristically flower ASAP.  They may take up to 5 years before they perform up to desired expectations.  Do not disturb the roots or the graft looking for some action!  This will damage the plant and cause it to take longer to acclimate to your eco-system.  Plant tree peonies are like roses, yucca or even tulips; plant, mark the location, and walk away.  I hope that they will do well for you.  Look for new varieties each spring from us!

At this time.. we do not offer free replacements.  Our new supplier has not authorized this program.

If you require the replacement, please contact us in September with your list.  We will see if we can accommodate you and at that time we will require  payment information for shipping / handling.
If you do not submit your replacement list with payment info, we can not request it for you.  This is an honor policy.  We assume that you are indicating a complete failure of the plant.  China will replace only plants that were sent.  The do keep track!!!

Sexybloomers.com - South Creek Nursery of Palmyra NY

4496 South Creek Road, po 252, Palmyra NY 14522

315-597-5330   - 585 734 3423