Paeonia x suffruticosa 'Shima-nishiki'

Common Name: tree peony  

Type: Deciduous shrub

Family: Paeoniaceae

Zone: 4 to 8

Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet

Spread: 3.00 to 4.00 feet

Bloom Time: May

Bloom Description: Purple-red with white striping

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Medium

Suggested Use: Hedge

Flower: Showy, Fragrant

Attracts: Butterflies

Tolerate: Rabbit, Deer

 

Culture

Best grown in deep, fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerant of summer heat. Add compost as needed before planting. Larger shrubs appreciate some shelter from strong winds. Unlike herbaceous peonies, the stems of tree peonies (which are woody shrubs) do not die to the ground in winter and should not be cut back after frost. No pruning is required, except to cut out dead wood or suckers in early spring. If plants become leggy, a moderate pruning in early fall can be done to shape plant and encourage additional growth on the lower part of the plant. Remove spent flowers after bloom. These long-lived plants usually take several years to establish, and are best left undisturbed once planted. Moreover, plant roots go deep and transplanting can be difficult. Appreciates some winter protection in USDA Zone 4 and the colder areas of Zone 5.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Paeonia suffruticosa, commonly called tree peony, is a deciduous, woody shrub that typically grows 3-5' tall with a 4' spread. The true species features large flowers (6-8" across) with pink to white petals, each petal having a purple basal patch. Many cultivars of this species have been developed, with a wide range of petal colors including red, pink, purple, white and yellow. Cultivar flower forms range from single to semi-double to double. Blooms in early spring (May in the St. Louis area). Medium green foliage is deeply divided into oval to lance-shaped leaflets and remains attractive throughout the growing season.

Genus name comes from the Greek name for Paeon, physician of the gods and reputed discoverer of the medicinal properties of plants in this genus.

Specific epithet means sub-shrub or somewhat shrubby.

‘Shima-Nishiki' is a multi-stemmed, deciduous, woody shrub that typically grows to 3-4' tall and as wide. Upward facing, mildly fragrant, semi-double flowers are purplish-red with prominent white striping. Yellow center stamens provide excellent contrast. Flowers bloom in early spring (late April-May in the St. Louis area). Medium green foliage is deeply divided into oval to lance-shaped leaflets. Foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season. No fall color. 'Shima-Nishiki' means fire flame in Japanese.

Paeonia suffruticosa 'Shima-Nishiki' - Plant Finder (missouribotanicalgarden.org)