Run your fingers along the woody canes of ‘Kao’ (Paeonia suffruticosa) and you’ll understand immediately why this isn’t your grandmother’s peony. Unlike soft-stemmed herbaceous peonies that disappear underground each winter, this Japanese tree peony holds its structure year-round — eventually growing 5–6 feet tall and wide, with dinner-plate blooms measuring 8–10 inches across in shades of deep crimson. With a lifespan measured in centuries, not seasons, this is genuinely a garden heirloom.
You’re receiving a 2–3 year old bareroot plant, 10–29 inches, already bloomed. Plant it in partial shade — afternoon protection is essential — in well-draining soil with the graft union buried at least 4 inches deep. Water deeply but infrequently, only when soil is dry 4–6 inches below the surface; overwatering is the most common cause of failure. Hardy in zones 4–9, blooms May–June with light-to-medium fragrance. Fertilize with composted manure in spring and fall.
A slow-growing, drought-tolerant, non-invasive flowering shrub that rewards patience with generations of extraordinary blooms.
🍂 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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