Whilst growing tree peonies from seed is not for the impatient gardener, it promises exciting results for the adventurous – yielding unpredictable colour variations through shades of white, pink, lilac and purple, all adorned with deep burgundy blotches at the base of the petals. Plants will flower around 3-4 years from sowing and, whatever colour they turn out, you can be assured of huge, tissue-paper blooms measuring up to 25cm (10in). The sumptuous flowers are carried on robust, strongly branching shrubs, clothed in attractive, pinnate foliage. These Tree Peony ‘Rockii Mixed’ seeds present a rare opportunity to grow your own unique tree peony collection that will continue to bloom for a lifetime. Height and spread: 150cm (60in).
Sowing Information
Germination of Tree Peony seed can be slow and erratic but is well worth the effort. The easiest method of sowing tree peonies is quite different to the most seeds. Place seeds in a polythene bag with some lightly moist vermiculite of seed sowing compost. Put a twist tie around the top of the bag and put in a warm place (but not in full sun) for 3 months at a temperature of 21C (70F). During this period the root system of the peony plants will start to develop. Once the roots are 2.5cm (1″) in length, move the bags to a cooler position at a temperature of 5C (40F) for 10-12 weeks.
Keep a close eye on the bags of developing seedlings. Immediately the shoots appear remove them from the bags and pot up the peony seedlings individually into 7.5cm (3″) pots. These should be grown on in a cool place until the seedling has developed into a good sized plant. Gradually acclimatise young Tree Peony plants to outdoor conditions before moving them outside. Plant out on well drained, rich fertile soil at the same depth as in the original pot, spacing each plant 45cm (18″) apart. Choose a sunny or semi shaded position that is sheltered from cold winds and shaded from strong early morning sunlight.
