Skip to content

Chinese Peony

Paeonia Lactiflora

Design with this plant

Overview

The Chinese Peony, or Paeonia lactiflora, is a beloved perennial with large, fragrant flowers in shades from white to deep pink. Thriving in zones 3-8, it reaches 2-3 feet in height and spread. Preferring full sun to partial shade, it flourishes in well-drained soil. Blooms appear in late spring, offering a spectacular display. The lush foliage provides a backdrop for summer plants after flowering. Deer resistant and low maintenance.

Sun Full, Half, ShadeWater Extra in Summer, HighZones 3–10Type Perennial

Culture

Sun
Full, Half, Shade
Water
Extra in Summer, High
USDA zones
3–10

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Perennial
Family
Ranunculaceae

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (120)

Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — pink and red and white flowers in the garden
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — When designing landscapes; this species boasts a rich horticultural history and is celebrated for its beauty, image 97
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — attract pollinators to the landscape; exhibit a variety of hues including whites
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — and some cultivars feature enchanting multicolored petals, image 44
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — peonies are generally cold-hardy
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — recognized for their alluring scent; is a perennial plant renowned for its lush
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — fragrant flowers in shades from white to deep pink; blooms appear in late spring, offering a spectacular display
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — and require minimal winter insulation once established; which can span up to 10 inches across, image 81
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — consider that an individual plant can reach a mature size of roughly 2 to 3 feet in height and spread; early, image 69
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — Little pruning is needed, just the removal of spent flowers to promote health and aesthetics
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — this species boasts a rich horticultural history and is celebrated for its beauty and fragrance; thriving in zones 3-8, it
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — gracing gardens with their presence in May or early June; perennial for full or half or shade, image 75
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — perennial with pink and red and white blooms; attract pollinators to the landscape, image 86
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — thus it requires ample space to thrive.<br><br>Blossoms; and require minimal winter insulation once established, image 70
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — pink and red and white flowers in the garden; thus it requires ample space to thrive.<br><br>Blossoms, image 85
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — which can span up to 10 inches across
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — fragrant flowers in shades from white to deep pink; blooms appear in late spring, offering a spectacular, image 59
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — and require minimal winter insulation once established
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — is a perennial plant renowned for its lush; gracing gardens with their presence in May or early June, image 65
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — recognized for their alluring scent; is a perennial plant renowned for its lush, image 105
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — perennial for full or half or shade; providing a backdrop for other garden plants post bloom
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — Deer resistant and low maintenance; when designing landscapes
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — Deer resistant and low maintenance; when designing landscapes, image 93
Chinese Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) — pink and red and white flowers in the garden; thus it requires ample space to thrive.<br><br>Blossoms
Photographs by 11 contributors

Related plants