Viewing post #845024 by dorab

NMay said:
I have a quick question for my fellow zone 3'ers - Do your tree peonies die back to the ground every year? I decided to try out a tree peony two years ago, and for two years straight the woody growth doesn't seem to tolerate the cold here and the peony starts from the ground each year. One of my co-workers has had the same thing happen for several years and I'm wondering if anyone else has any experience with them this far north. I think I've actually lost a two year old TP this year as well, which is a crying shame.

I don't have a tree peony, but my understanding is that this is quite common. Also, the buds for next year on tree peonies are on the shrub, not on the root so when the shrub dies back, the plant loses its flowering capability. They are zone 4, so they are sometimes able to make it here if there is a good microclimate though.

I've read that in China, both herbaceous and tree peonies were/are often grown in pots. I was thinking it might be worthwhile to try winter a tree peony over inside - leave it outside until the foliage starts to die back and then pop it in the basement until spring. Of course I'll have to keep the cats from using it as a litter box.