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Paeonia suffruticosa Lu He Hong - Tree Peony

Paeonia x suffruticosa Lu He Hong
Tree Peony

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A delicately scented and strongly structured shrubby peony, which forms a rounded shrub of 1.50 m (5ft). It bears upright, double flowers that resemble enormous roses. Measuring 18 cm (7in) wide, they are a bright pink, more bluish on the periphery, darker in the centre covered with golden stamens. This wonderful plant will bear over 100 flowers in April-May, after many years. Give it a bright position and a well-drained garden soil.
Flower size
17 cm
Height at maturity
1.50 m
Spread at maturity
1.50 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -23°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October to November
Recommended planting time February to May, September to November
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Flowering time April
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Description

Paeonia x suffruticosa 'Lu He Hong' is an excellent variety of tree peony in every way. Vigorous and opulent, with a strong framework against the wind, it bears beautiful, fragrant flowers that resemble enormous roses. Its silky petals blend different shades ranging from bluish pink on the periphery to deep pink towards the center, passing through true pink. Its early spring flowering allows it to withstand dry summers, during which it rests with a certain serenity. This flowering shrub offers a breathtaking spectacle when mature. Give it a prime location in the garden, either as a specimen or at the forefront of a shrub border.

The tree peony 'Lu He Hong' is a Chinese horticultural hybrid that has the genes of Paeonia suffruticosa, native to central China.  This extraordinary species, cultivated for about 1500 years in China and two centuries in Europe, has given rise to numerous cultivars with single or double flowers, in all colours except true blue. The wild form has never been formally identified. In contrast to so-called herbaceous peonies, Paeonia suffruticosa produces a woody framework, one or more small trunks, and sparsely branched knotty branches that persist all year round like shrubs. Its foliage is deciduous, emerging in spring and falling in autumn, often taking on beautiful colours at the end of the season. All these plants, native to the Far East, are very cold-resistant. They belong to the family of Ranunculaceae.

'Lu He Hong' slowly forms a relatively branching bush with a rounded habit, reaching about 1.30 m (4ft) in height, slightly less in width, and even up to 1.50 m (5ft) in height under good growing conditions. The short, brownish, sturdy, and erect branches bear heavily dissected leaves with long lanceolate leaflets, toothed edges, smooth texture, and prominent veins. They are reddish when buds burst open, quickly turning dark green on the upper surface and occasionally tinged with purple, with a glaucous green underside. The foliage of this variety is very dense and ornamental even outside the flowering season.

The flowering of this 'Lu He Hong' variety takes place for 3 weeks in April, sometimes starting at the end of March, at the beginning of the tree peony season. A 3-year-old plant will bear a single flower in the first year, but 50 after 20 years of cultivation, and even more than 100 at an advanced age. It starts with very large solitary buds that appear at the end of reddish new shoots. They open into double, globular corollas, upright or horizontally carried, measuring up to 18 cm (7in) in diameter and 7 cm (3in) in depth. They are composed of multiple crumpled petals. The range of pinks includes lilac pink, dominant true pink, and deep pink towards the base. The centre of the fully open flowers is occupied by golden yellow stamens. The scent of the flowers is quite noticeable.

The tree peony is not a plant for impatient gardeners. It takes its time, but years of patience are rewarded by the fabulous spectacle created by this opulent shrub laden with huge flowers in spring. In the garden, the 'Lu Mu Ying Yu' tree peony will be sumptuous when planted against a wall, at the forefront of a hedge or in a border, under tall trees, but always sheltered from winds and in a bright and airy location. Its magnificent flowers will be enhanced by those of other white, pink, or mauve peonies, clusters of mauve or white lilacs, or early-flowering China roses (Old Blush). This variety also pairs well with other perennials that bloom before or after it, such as garden irises or campanulas.

Paeonia suffruticosa Lu He Hong - Tree Peony in pictures

Paeonia suffruticosa Lu He Hong - Tree Peony (Flowering) Flowering
Paeonia suffruticosa Lu He Hong - Tree Peony (Foliage) Foliage

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time April
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 17 cm
Fragrance Fragrant
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour dark green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.50 m
Spread at maturity 1.50 m
Growth rate slow

Botanical data

Genus

Paeonia

Species

x suffruticosa

Cultivar

Lu He Hong

Family

Ranunculaceae

Other common names

Tree Peony

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference854311

Planting and care

Place the tree peony in partial shade, 6 hours of sun per day are necessary to obtain a beautiful flowering. Morning sun is appreciated, while scorching situations should be avoided. From September to May, except during freezing periods, plant it in a fertile and deep soil, slightly acidic, neutral or even slightly calcareous, moist but well-drained to prevent the roots from rotting. Once well established in deep soil, the tree peony does not require watering in summer in all our regions, especially early spring-blooming varieties. Its cold resistance is excellent, but the flower buds can be damaged by strong or dry and cold winds.

Easy to grow, shrubby peonies require little maintenance but deserve careful planting. During planting, dig a large hole 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in) deep and at least as wide. Fill it with a mixture of garden soil, leaf compost, and river sand or gravel if your soil is very heavy and compact. Add crushed horn, bone meal, and dried blood in the bottom of the planting hole. Do not plant the plants too close together for good aeration. The shrubby peony fears competition from the roots of other plants, so allow for a spacing of 1 m (3ft) with its neighbors. The graft should be buried about twenty centimeters deep so that the plant gradually becomes independent of its rootstock. Watering should be abundant but spaced 8 to 5 days apart in the first two years, from March to September. Peonies have a reputation for being homebodies. That's why they should not be moved after planting. Avoid pruning unless the base of the plant becomes bare. If that's the case, prune at the level of the shoots from the base. Provide a support stake to support the flower stems and remove faded flowers during the season.

16
14,50 € Each
6
19,50 €

Planting period

Best planting time March, October to November
Recommended planting time February to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Free-standing
Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Ordinary but well-drained and fertile soil.

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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