Differences and characteristics of tree peony and herbaceous peony

Peony is a perennial herbaceous and tree peony are two beautiful flowers that can become a worthy highlight of the garden. Previously, preference was given to the herbaceous variety, but recently bright disc-shaped and very large flowers began to appear in areas more and more often. This indicates the growing popularity of tree varieties.

Differences

The tree and herbaceous varieties of peony have significant differences not only in appearance, but also in the characteristics of cultivation.However, both plants delight with beautiful flowers.

Bush and shrub

The characteristic leaves and powerful woody shoots allow the tree peony to be classified as a shrub. With the onset of cold weather, the ground part of the herbaceous plant dies off, but in the tree-like plant, on the contrary, it begins to grow stronger. Over time, a lush, rounded bush can reach a height of 2 m. The plant is also distinguished by the fact that in the tree type it is not necessary to cut off the faded buds in time in order to stimulate subsequent flowering and correctly distribute vital forces.

Resetting of foliage in a tree-like

In autumn, the tree peony sheds its leaves. The shoots remain and grow stronger. As a result, they closely resemble wood.

Growth terms in one place

A tree peony can grow in one place for decades if there are all the necessary conditions and a supply of nutrients. Herbaceous varieties are more demanding and need to be replanted after 10-15 years. A signal that the plant needs to change its growing location is scanty flowering.

Diameter of flowers

The tree-like peony has larger flowers and reaches a diameter of 25-30 cm, while in another species this figure does not exceed 20 cm.

Ripening time

The herbaceous peony blooms a couple of weeks later than its tree-like counterpart. The exact flowering period depends on the region and weather conditions.

Variety of colors

The color range of the herbaceous peony is more varied than that of the tree peony. There are varieties with pink, burgundy, white, and purple inflorescences. Breeders even brought bicolors to the attention of flower growers. But this plant does not have a rich yellow color. The same goes for tree-like flowers.This feature does not cause much discomfort to gardeners, since the variety of colors is enough to satisfy the needs of the most demanding beauty connoisseurs.

Other Features

A characteristic feature of the tree peony is its long flowering period, which lasts about 1 month. Only new varieties of this variety can tolerate cold winters, while old ones require mandatory shelter for the winter. Herbaceous varieties tolerate the cold season more easily, since their above-ground parts still die off at the first frost.

Criterias of choice

When choosing a variety or variety of peony for a garden or personal plot, flower growers are guided not only by their tastes and preferences, but also by the climate, the agricultural technology of the plant, and the requirements for care.

Decorative properties

In terms of decorative qualities, both types of plants are on the same level. Here you need to be guided only by your taste. A lush tall bush will give a special charm if it is planted in an open place and is not covered by other bushes. Herbaceous varieties look great both in single and group plantings.

Unpretentiousness

As the experience of gardeners shows, tree peonies are more unpretentious than their counterparts. They exhibit increased resistance to pests and pathogens, easily tolerate winter, and grow in one place for decades without replanting.

comparison table

It is advisable to present a comparison of herbaceous and tree peony in the form of a table.