Garden Peony

Paeonia lactiflora

Family: PaeoniaceaeNative: Central and Eastern Asia, including China, Mongolia, and SiberiaIdentified: Aug 17, 2026

A herbaceous perennial featuring compound, deeply lobed dark green leaves with reddish petioles and veins. The foliage grows in a dense, bushy clump and serves as an attractive backdrop for large spring blooms.

Light: Full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flower production.
Water: Moderate watering needs. Allow the top soil to dry out between watering sessions. Avoid prolonged waterlogged conditions to prevent root issues.
Growth: Herbaceous perennial forming an upright, bushy clump. Mature height typically ranges from 2 to 3 feet with a similar spread, growing at a moderate rate.

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Care instructions

Plant in full sun to partial shade with well-draining, fertile soil. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system, then moderate watering once established. Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new shoots emerge.

Growing details

Sunlight

Full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flower production.

Watering

Moderate watering needs. Allow the top soil to dry out between watering sessions. Avoid prolonged waterlogged conditions to prevent root issues.

Soil

Rich, loamy, well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH range between 6.0 and 7.0.

Hardiness zone

USDA zones 3 through 8, thriving in temperate climates with cold winter periods required for proper dormancy.

Growth habit

Herbaceous perennial forming an upright, bushy clump. Mature height typically ranges from 2 to 3 feet with a similar spread, growing at a moderate rate.

Bloom season

Late spring to early summer, producing large, showy single or double flowers in shades of pink, white, red, or yellow, often featuring a pleasant fragrance.

Propagation

Propagated primarily through root division in autumn, ensuring each division contains at least three to five visible buds (eyes).

Common pests & issues

Susceptible to fungal leaf spot and powdery mildew in humid conditions with poor air circulation. Proper spacing and removing dead foliage in autumn help prevent these issues.

Similar species

Tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa), which have woody stems that do not die back to the ground in winter, unlike the herbaceous garden peony.