When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Peonies are a classic garden perennial. Peony bushes are still a popular choice among landscapers, ornamental gardeners, and people who grow flowers to cut. They have huge flowers and are easy to grow. Gardeners can make better planting choices and make sure that each plant’s needs are met by learning more about the different types of peony plants and how they grow, such as how much sun they need.
Peonies are classic garden flowers beloved for their lush, full blooms and delightful fragrance. But most gardeners know that peonies need ample sunlight to thrive. So a common question is: will peonies grow in the shade?
The short answer is some, but not all peonies can tolerate partial shade. However, nearly all peonies require a good amount of direct sunlight to produce their signature blooms. Let’s take a deeper look at peonies’ light requirements.
Do Peonies Need Sunlight to Bloom?
Most peony varieties are classified as full sun plants. Full sun generally means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Without sufficient sunlight exposure peonies may
- Produce fewer blooms
- Have smaller sized flowers
- Bloom later in the season
- Grow more weakly overall
This is because sunlight powers photosynthesis and promotes robust growth and flowering Insufficient light can result in leggy, weak plants with reduced flowering
Will Peonies Tolerate Any Shade?
While peonies prefer full sun, some varieties can handle partial shade. partial shade means 2-6 hours of sun per day with filtered sunlight the rest of the time.
Afternoon shade is ideal if you garden in a hot southern climate. Morning sun with afternoon shade helps prevent flowers from fading too quickly in heat and humidity.
Best Peonies for Partially Shaded Gardens
If you have a partly shaded garden, look for these more shade-tolerant peony varieties:
-
Tree peonies: Most tree peonies can bloom decently with about 4 hours of sunlight per day. Try ‘High Noon’ or ‘Shimane Chojuraku’.
-
Paeonia lactiflora: The common garden peony. It appreciates full sun but can adapt to some afternoon shade.
-
Paeonia japonica: A lovely species peony with large white and yellow flowers. Give it morning sun.
-
Lobata hybrids: Bred by A.P. Saunders, many of these unusual peonies tolerate partial shade well.
-
Woodland peonies: Species like P. brownii, P. obovata, and P. triternata grow naturally in dappled shade. Try them in a woodland garden.
Growing Peonies in Shade: Key Tips
-
Plant in the sunniest part of your garden, even if it’s just a few hours of morning light.
-
Water diligently, as peonies in shade still need ample moisture.
-
Apply an organic mulch like wood chips to retain soil moisture and nutrients.
-
Prune adjacent trees/shrubs as needed to increase sun exposure.
-
Test different varieties to see which grow best in your specific conditions.
-
Avoid heavy, dense shade from buildings, evergreen trees, or hedges.
-
Increase sun exposure if plants become leggy and fail to bloom well after a few years.
The Takeaway on Peonies and Shade
While most peonies demand full sunlight, there are some lovely varieties that can adapt to partial shade conditions of 4-6 hours of sun per day. Just don’t expect them to thrive in dense, full shade.
If shade is unavoidable, focus on morning sun exposure, provide supplemental water, mulch well, and prune adjacent foliage to maximize sunlight. With some patience you can find peonies for your partly shaded landscape!
Do Peonies Like Sun or Shade?
In attempting to answer this question, growers will first need to carefully consider each peony species. Herbaceous peonies, intersectional peonies, and tree peonies are some of the most common types of peonies you can find at garden centers. Even though these plants look a lot alike, they will all need slightly different amounts of light.
For several varieties of peonies, full sun is an absolute necessity. Without at least six to eight hours of sunlight each day, some types may even fail to bloom. The most common peonies for full sun are herbaceous. These are the kinds that grow, bloom, and then die back to the ground on their own when the fall frosts come. Sarah Bernhardt, Red Charm, Coral Charm, and Bowl of Beauty are some of the most popular types for flowerbeds that get full sun.
Best Peonies for Shade
For many other types of peonies, shade or part shade may be required for them to truly thrive. Fortunately, finding the best peony for shade is not too difficult. In fact, there are several options available. Some of the most popular species include intersectional peonies and tree peonies. Also known as Itoh peonies, intersectional peonies are the result of a cross between herbaceous and tree species. This makes the plant very flexible; it can grow well in both full sun and part sun spots. In fact, most intersectional peonies benefit from shade during the hottest parts of the day.
Tree peonies are known for their woody growth habit and immense blooms. For the tree peony, shade is essential. Most experts suggest that this species be planted in part to full dappled sunlight for best results. Shade gardeners have also found success with woodland species of peony. Even though these flowers aren’t as showy as their hybrid relatives, many gardeners love how well they can grow naturally.
Do Peonies need full sun or shade?
FAQ
What happens if peonies don’t get enough sun?
What are the best peonies for shade?
Where should you not plant peonies?
Will peonies bloom in the shade?
Can peonies grow in shade?
Some peonies, specifically the Japanese woodland peony, are known for their ability to thrive in shady planting sites. These peonies are ideal for small shaded backyard spaces. Peony plants are most commonly prized for their large, vibrant blooms with minimal care.
Do Itoh peonies grow in shade?
Itoh peonies (Paeonia itoh) are a hybrid between tree and herbaceous peonies. They’re usually smaller than tree peonies, reaching heights of up to 4 feet, and they produce large, elegant blooms in shades of pink, yellow, and white. Itoh peonies do best in partial shade, so they’re perfect for shadier spots in the garden.
What is the best Peony for a full sun flowerbed?
Some of the most popular varieties for full sun flowerbeds include Sarah Bernhardt, Red Charm, Coral Charm, and Bowl of Beauty. For many other types of peonies, shade or part shade may be required for them to truly thrive. Fortunately, finding the best peony for shade is not too difficult.
Do intersectional peonies need shade?
In fact, most intersectional peonies benefit from shade during the hottest parts of the day. Tree peonies are known for their woody growth habit and immense blooms. For the tree peony, shade is essential. Most experts suggest that this species be planted in part to full dappled sunlight for best results.
How much sunlight do peonies need?
They need 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, with shade for the remaining time. Kicking off our list of shade-tolerant peonies is Paeonia japonica, a charming, small herbaceous perennial. It comfortably grows to about 1.5 feet in both height and width, making it an ideal choice for various garden sizes.
Do peonies grow above ground?
Although rare, it is possible that a peony will not produce growth above ground the first spring. Peonies are very resilient and hardy, but do take time to establish and become a mature flowering plant. Woodland peonies will mature to 3 feet wide, with more flowers and more stems being produced each year.