The Propagation of Chinese Peonies

Chinese tree peonies produce colorful blossoms.

The national flower of China, the tree peony is a shrub that grows about 3 to 5 feet tall, producing blossoms in a wide range of colors. While nurseries graft some varieties of Chinese tree peonies, you can propagate mature specimens to produce additional plants.

Division

Peonies form large clumps as they mature. Mature plants over the age of three to five years have adequate roots for dividing. Pruning the stems and stalks prior to division allows the plants to concentrate their energy on producing new roots.

Timing

The best time to divide Chinese tree peonies for propagation is in late fall or early summer, after the plants go dormant. Expect your new peonies to take at least three years to form buds and blossoms. Chinese tree peonies are slower growing than other types of peonies.

Technique

Using caution to avoid disturbing the roots, dig your tree peony out of the ground and rinse the exposed roots with a garden hose, allowing you to view the roots. Use a sharp knife to divide the roots into sections that contain four strong buds connected to the lower root sections. Trim the roots from each cutting to a length between 4 and 6 inches. Plant the fresh cuttings in a protected location, such as a cold frame. Keep the soil slightly moist to encourage new growth.

References

• Iowa State University: Tree Peonies
• Kansas State University: Peonies in the Garden
• "Botanica's Gardening Encyclopedia", Susan Page 2001