Finding Gorgeous Peony Trees for Sale Near You

With their lush, full blooms and sweet floral fragrance, peony trees add incredible beauty to any outdoor space If you’ve been looking for one of these stunning woody plants for your own yard or garden, you may have noticed they can be hard to find at local nurseries So where can you find peony trees for sale conveniently near you?

In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about buying a peony tree, including:

• What are peony trees exactly?
• Benefits and challenges of peony trees
• How to choose the best peony tree varieties
• Where to find peony trees for sale locally
• What size peony tree to select
• Peony tree planting and care tips
• Gorgeous photos of peony trees blooming

Let’s get started finding the perfect peony tree that will thrive beautifully in your own landscape!

What Are Peony Trees?

You’re likely familiar with the classic herbaceous peony—those elegant perennials with sumptuous blooms in late spring. Peony trees are closely related but with a few notable differences:

• Growth habit – Peony trees are woody deciduous shrubs with branched frameworks rather than herbaceous perennials.

• Height – Peony trees grow taller, reaching 5-10 feet in height and width at maturity.

• Flowers – Peony tree blooms are slightly smaller than herbaceous peonies but no less gorgeous.

• Winter interest – Peony trees keep their decorative branched form in winter after leaves drop.

• Trunk development – As peony trees mature, they develop attractive flaking bark on trunks and stems.

Benefits of Peony Trees

Why should you consider adding a peony tree to your landscape? Here are some of the best benefits they offer:

• Striking blooms – Peony tree flowers are lush and romantic, available in white, pink, red, and yellow. The blooms are elegantly framed by the branches.

• Sweet fragrance – Many peony tree varieties have flowers with a lovely rose-like perfume that carries on the breeze.

• Low maintenance – Once established, peony trees are quite carefree and low maintenance compared to other flowering trees.

• Deer and rabbit resistant – You won’t have to worry about deer or rabbits munching on peony tree foliage and buds, since they dislike the taste.

• Four season interest – Peony trees provide ornamental interest in every season: flowers in spring, foliage in summer, branching structure in fall and winter.

• Longlived – Peony trees are exceptionally long-lived, staying beautiful in your landscape for decades with proper care.

• Good for small spaces – The relatively compact size of peony trees makes them ideal for smaller yards and gardens.

For gardens needing a focal point, peony trees are hard to beat! Let’s look at some of the potential challenges too.

Things to Consider About Peony Trees

Peony trees have so much going for them, but there are a few drawbacks to note as well:

• Slow growers when young – Peony saplings grow quite slowly for the first few seasons until established. Patience is key.

• Dislikes transplanting – Plant your peony tree in its permanent spot right away. They strongly resent being disturbed later.

• Prone to leaf diseases – Peony trees can be susceptible to conditions like botrytis and leaf spot later in the season.

• Limited availability – Peony trees are not widely grown by commercial growers, so finding them locally can be a challenge.

• Higher cost – Expect to pay more for a peony tree than a typical flowering shrub. Their production is more labor intensive.

However, with some forethought about siting and care, none of these potential issues are dealbreakers. The rewards of growing peony trees far outweigh the small challenges.

Best Types of Peony Trees

There are two major types of peony trees to choose from:

Tree Peonies

These are the classic peony shrub that have been grown in China and Japan for centuries. Tree peony varieties include:

• Japanese tree peonies – Tend to have enormous flowers up to 10” across in vibrant colors. Most tree peonies fall into this subgroup.

• Chinese tree peonies – Usually have smaller blooms but with lush, overlapping petals. Often fragrant.

• European tree peonies – Hybrids with influences from Japanese and Chinese genetics. Mixed traits.

Itoh Peonies

Itoh peonies are a newer hybrid crossing tree peonies with herbaceous types. Features include:

• Abundant, clustered blooms – Itohs produce more flowers per stem than tree peonies.

• Wider color range – Itohs exhibit unique color combinations like yellow-pink and apricot-pink.

• Shorter height – Itohs grow in the 3-4 foot range, smaller than standard tree peonies.

Either tree peony type is sure to deliver an incredible floral display in your garden. Pick varieties with your preferred bloom sizes, colors, flower forms, fragrances, and plant dimensions.

Where to Find Peony Trees for Sale Locally

Finding peony trees at your average garden center can be hit or miss. Here are some options to check for buying a peony tree close to home:

• Local nurseries – Some independent nurseries may stock a few tree peony varieties, especially types suited to your growing zone.

• Specialty mail-order nurseries – Companies like Adelman Peony Gardens have huge tree peony selections and ship bare root plants in spring.

• Online retailers – Websites like Breck’s and Nature Hills sell container-grown peony trees that can be planted anytime and shipped directly to you.

• Farmers markets & plant sales – Check for peony tree vendors at local markets and nonprofit plant sales in spring. Limited selection but great finds possible.

• Estate sales – Keep an eye out for mature peony trees offered at estate sales, although availability will be unpredictable.

• Swap with fellow gardeners – Talk to gardening neighbors, friends, or clubs about trading divisions or cuttings of established peony trees.

With some persistence and planning, you should be able to find a source for buying a beautiful peony tree somewhat close to home.

What Size Peony Tree Should You Buy?

Peony trees are most commonly sold:

• In 3-5 gallon containers
• As bare root divisions
• As small 1-2 year old saplings

For fastest impact, go for the largest tree you can find and afford. A 5 gallon containerized tree will give you flowers quickest.

However, you’ll get the satisfaction of watching your tree grow over many years if you start with a 1-2 foot bare root sapling. Just be prepared to diligently stake and train it as the branches extend.

Itoh peony types are often sold in smaller 1-2 gallon containers since they’re more compact. Aim for the biggest one available for fastest maturity and flowering.

Caring for Peony Trees

To keep your peony tree looking its best and flowering abundantly, follow these care tips:

• Plant in full to part sun – Peonies need a minimum of 6 hours of direct sun per day. Morning sun is best in hot climates.

• Prep soil thoroughly – Peonies thrive in nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. Add compost and organic matter when planting.

• Water 1-2 times per week – Young trees need regular deep watering for the first two years. Then weekly watering is sufficient.

• Stake saplings as needed – Use wooden stakes and plant ties to support immature tree trunks and branches until sturdy.

• Apply winter protection – In cold zones, wrap trunks and cover crowns with mulch to protect from harsh winter weather.

• Watch for diseases – Promptly remove any leaves with black spot or white powdery mildew to prevent spreading.

• Deadhead spent blooms – Clip off faded flowers to encourage reblooming. Leave seed pods if you want volunteer seedlings.

With the right care, your peony tree will thrive for decades, providing gorgeous seasonal interest year after year.

Inspiring Photos of Peony Trees in Bloom

Need some visual inspiration of how spectacular peony trees can look in the landscape? Here are some lovely pictures of peonies in flower:

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Gorgeous, aren’t they? Now it’s time to find your own exceptional peony tree to highlight your outdoor space withluxurious seasonal beauty.

Where to Buy Peony Trees Near Me

Peony trees deserve a spot in any garden, combining great structure, bountiful blooms, and heavenly fragrance. With so many incredible varieties to select from, you’re sure to find the ideal peony tree for your unique landscape vision.

Check all possible local sources as we discussed to locate rare peony trees offered close to home. Or order from a quality mail-order nursery that can ship a healthy container-grown tree right to your door.

Plant your peony tree in a prime location and tend it carefully in its early years. Before long, your patience will be rewarded with a showstopping peony tree covered in flowers each spring. Then you can sit back and enjoy this exceptionally long-lived beauty for many more seasons to come.