Eight tree peonies to grow

Peony 'Showanohokori'

This gorgeous peony has purple-pink blooms with delicate black markings at the base of the petals, helping to draw the eye to the striking yellow centres. It looks fabulous surrounded by a carpet of forget-me-nots (myosotis) or Chinese forget-me-nots (Cynoglossum).

Height x spread: 120cm x 90cm.

Peony 'Shimane Sedai'

Peony 'Shimane Sedai' has beautiful, rose-coloured flowers with petals that ruffle slightly at the edges. When young, the blooms are semi-double, but as this peony matures, the flowers become progressively larger and more double.

H x S: 120cm x 90cm.

Peony 'Souvenir de Maxime Cornu'

This Japanese tree peony has blowsy peach-coloured flowers with frilly pink edges. Each flower has a warm yellow centre. Plants with purple flowers are the perfect match for this variety, so consider underplanting with dusky cranesbills (Geranium phaeum) and spring peas (Lathyrus vernus).

H x S: 120cm x 90cm.

Paeonia lutea var. ludlowii

The spectacular cut foliage of this peony provides a fresh, green backdrop for the bright yellow blooms. It will reach a greater size than most other tree peonies, so plant it somewhere where it'll have plenty of room to expand. Large pods holding glossy black seeds follow on from the flowers.

H x S: 3m x 2m.

Peony 'Duchess of Kent'

'Duchess of Kent' is a vigorous, reliable peony with large, carmine-red, fully double blooms. Red stems and leaf stalks add to the interest, especially when it's not in flower. Flowers slightly later than most other tree peonies.

H x S: 120cm x 90cm.

Peony 'Duchess of Marlborough'

This renowned peony has been around for decades and is still one of the best-loved for its huge, pale-pink flowers. The semi-double flowers are yellow in the centre. 'Duchess of Marlborough' looks beautiful planted alongside classic shrub roses.

H x S: 120cm x 90cm.

Peony 'Reine Elizabeth'

'Reine Elizabeth' is an old variety of tree peony, with fully double China pink flowers, with a hint of orange warmth. Like most tree peonies with huge flowers, those of 'Reine Elizabeth' will benefit from protection from strong winds by being grown in a sheltered spot.

H x S: 120cm x 90cm.

Peony 'Shimanishiki'

With vividly marked rose pink and hot pink petals, 'Shimanishiki' is one of the more striking tree peonies to grow and makes a fun cut flower. The blooms will vary in colour, with some displaying more of one or the other colour.

H x S: 120cm x 90cm.

Feeding tree peonies

These hungry plants will benefit from the addition of a potash-rich fertiliser in autumn to boost flower production. Later on, in spring, you can apply an all-round granular fertiliser around the base the plant.