Run your fingers along the woody stems of “Butterfly Kiss” (Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Die Lan Hua’) in late winter and you’ll understand immediately why this is not your grandmother’s peony — this is a living structure that never disappears.
Unlike herbaceous peonies that vanish each fall, this rare Chinese tree peony builds permanent woody framework reaching 6–8 feet tall and 5 feet wide over time. Each May, it opens 7–8 inch blooms in a striking two-toned display, lightly fragrant and irresistible to bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. Plants ship as 2–3 year old bareroot stock, already bloomed, at 10–29 inches.
**Care:** Partial shade is essential — afternoon protection prevents leaf scorch. Water deeply only when soil is dry 4–6 inches below the surface; consistently moist roots are the primary cause of failure. Avoid wetting foliage to prevent Botrytis fungal wilt. Fertilize with composted manure in spring and fall. Plant the graft union at least 4 inches below soil. Zones 4–9, tolerating -45°F to 113°F.
A century-long companion worth choosing carefully.
🍂 Shipping & planting window
Peonies ship in fall (September–November) when fully dormant and bare root. This is the only window we ship.
Fall planting gives roots a full season to establish in warm soil before winter. Cold stratification triggers strong, healthy spring growth and reliable bloom production. Spring-shipped peonies experience root damage during active growth, transplant shock during their bloom cycle, and often lose an entire growing season.
📍 Local pickup available year-round in Bellevue, WA.
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