How to Tell Peonies and Tree Peonies Apart? Detailed Guide to Planting Methods and Timing
Peonies and tree peonies are both famous flowers in our country; the former is the “prime minister of flowers,” while the latter is the “king of flowers,” but because they look similar, people find it a bit hard to tell them apart. So what is the difference between peonies and tree peonies? Have you mastered the planting methods and timing for peonies? Below, the editor of Tuliu.com will answer them for you one by one.
I. Basic Information About Peonies
1. Origin of peonies
The peony is a stout perennial herb, also known as Jiangli, Licao, Lanweichun, Yurong, Lishi, Meiguhua, Heiqianyi, Hongyao, and so on. It generally grows on hillside grasslands and beneath forests. In China, peonies are distributed in Jiangsu, the Northeast, North China, Shaanxi and southern Gansu; they are also found on hillside grasslands and beneath forests at altitudes of 480-700 m in the Northeast region, and on hillside grasslands at altitudes of 1000-2300 m in other provinces. In addition to China, they are also partly distributed in Zhaoxiang, Japan, Mongolia and Siberia.
2. Peony varieties
Peonies are divided into two types: single-flower type and tai-ge type. The former has flowers formed by a single bloom, such as the single-petal type with 2-3 whorls of petals, the lotus type with 4-5 whorls of petals, the chrysanthemum type with more than 6 whorls of petals, and the golden-ring type with broad outer petals; the latter is the phenomenon in which, at flowering time, the center of the flower (or inflorescence) or the growth point between flowers differentiates flower buds again and blooms, such as the thousand-layer subclass, layered tai-ge type, colored-petal tai-ge type and ball-flower tai-ge type.
3. Value of peonies
Peonies have beautiful flower forms and brilliant colors, making them a common flower variety planted in gardens, flowerbeds and courtyards; they can also be paired with tree peonies as cut flowers. Washed peonies can be made into porridge, cakes and flower tea. Peony roots can be used as medicine and have effects such as pain relief and treating painful menstruation, while their seeds can be pressed for oil and used as a coating.
II. What Is the Difference Between Peonies and Tree Peonies?
Peonies and tree peonies look somewhat similar, but once you learn the following few tricks, you can easily tell them apart.
1. Difference in flower shape between peonies and tree peonies
Although peonies resemble tree peonies, their flowers are not as large as those of tree peonies. Generally, the flower stem of a peony is 10-30 cm, while the flower stem of a tree peony is usually 20-30 cm, and tree peony flowers look much larger than peony flowers.
2. Difference in leaves between peonies and tree peonies
Peony leaves are narrow, long, pointed and slender, and their color is also more raw, while tree peony leaves have 2-3 shallow lobes, green on the surface but pale green on the back; overall they appear more full and stately than peony leaves.
3. Difference in status between peonies and tree peonies
Although both are among China's ten famous flowers, the tree peony is the “king of flowers” and is our country's national flower, while the peony is only the “prime minister of flowers.”
4. Difference in stems and branches between peonies and tree peonies
The peony is a herbaceous plant, and the stem below its flower is a relatively soft and weak branch, making it appear more delicate and enchanting overall, while the tree peony is a woody plant, and the stem below its flower has a woody texture, appearing tougher and sturdier than the peony's stem.
5. Difference in flowering period between peonies and tree peonies
The flowering period of tree peonies is about half a month earlier than that of peonies. Generally, peonies begin to bloom in the first and middle ten days of May, while tree peonies begin to bloom in the middle and last ten days of April.
6. Difference in flower color between peonies and tree peonies
Peony flower colors include white, pink, red, purple, yellow, green, black and bicolor, while tree peony flower colors include red, purple, purplish red, ink purple, pink, pinkish blue, white, blue, green, yellow, black and bicolor; tree peonies also have more varieties than peonies.
7. Difference in flower language between peonies and tree peonies
The flower language of the peony is beautiful and moving, reluctant to part, hard to separate, symbolizing friendship and love, while the flower language of the tree peony is noble and pure, noble, wealthy, national beauty and heavenly fragrance, and graceful in ten thousand ways.
III. Peony Planting Methods and Timing
1. Peony planting time
Peonies can be planted by sowing, division, cuttings and layering, and the planting times are basically different.
(1) If planting peonies by sowing, they can be sown in spring and autumn. The best time for spring sowing is March-June each year, and the best time for autumn sowing is August-October each year. It is best to sow immediately after collecting the seeds, otherwise the water content of the seeds will decrease and affect the germination rate.
(2) If dividing peonies, do it from the end of August to late September (from End of Heat to Autumn Equinox), but in Yangzhou, divide from late September to early November.
(3) Peony cuttings can be taken in mid-July.
2. Peony planting methods (taking sowing as an example)
(1) Before planting peony seeds, they should first be sprouted, and sowing should be carried out after sprouting is complete. Choose the planting soil, selecting soil with flat terrain and sufficient sunlight. Before sowing, the soil should be deeply turned and leveled. If the soil is moist, you can sow directly; if the soil moisture is poor, you need to irrigate thoroughly first.
(2) When preparing to sow peony seeds, do not bury the seeds too deep; keep the planting depth at about 2.5 cm, and also note that the seeds should be watered immediately after being put into the ground.
(3) The main diseases and pests during peony cultivation include peony gray mold, peony brown spot, peony red spot, peony rust, scarab beetles, scale insects, aphids, etc., so everyone should carry out prevention and control in advance and spray the corresponding agents.
If you do not plan to propagate peonies by sowing, then you should cut off the flower stalks at any time to avoid consuming nutrients due to seed formation. The above is all the content about peonies introduced to you by the editor of Tuliu.com.