Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa 'Furnace for Making Pills of Immortality')
Spectacular Tree peony, Paeonia suffruticosa 'Furnace for Making Pills of Immortality', offers showy pink blooms in spring. A low-maintenance deciduous shrub perfect for borders.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Tree peony, specifically the cultivar Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Furnace for Making Pills of Immortality’, is a magnificent addition to any established garden, prized for its large, highly showy spring flowers. Unlike its herbaceous cousins, this plant is a woody, deciduous shrub whose structure persists year-round, providing excellent architectural interest. Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Furnace for Making Pills of Immortality’ produces abundant, double flowers featuring lovely frilly pink petals.
These long-lived shrubs establish deep root systems, rewarding patient gardeners with beauty that lasts for generations. They offer significant aesthetic impact, boasting attractive, deeply divided foliage that remains appealing throughout the growing season, even after the pink blooms of April and May have faded. Choosing a suitable location for your Tree peony is crucial, as once established, this variety prefers to remain undisturbed.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Paeoniaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-5 ft
- Spread: 3-4 ft
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Bloom Description: Pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Plant Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Furnace for Making Pills of Immortality’ in deep, fertile, well-drained soil that retains medium moisture. Incorporate compost before planting to ensure rich growing conditions. These shrubs thrive best when sited in full sun or light dappled shade, though they benefit from some shelter against forceful winds, especially in colder zones.
Watering should be consistent, aiming for medium moisture levels, particularly while the plant is establishing, which often takes several years. Due to their deep roots, these long-lived plants are best left alone once settled, and transplanting should be avoided if possible. For gardeners in USDA Zone 4 and the colder edge of Zone 5, providing some winter protection is advised to safeguard the new growth.
Pruning requirements for the Tree peony are minimal. Unlike herbaceous peonies, do not cut the woody stems back after frost, as they do not die to the ground. Only remove dead wood or suckers appearing in early spring. If you notice the plant becoming leggy, a moderate shaping prune can be performed in early autumn to encourage lower branching. Always remove spent flowers immediately following the bloom period to direct energy back into the plant.
Landscape Uses
The structural elegance and spectacular spring display of the Tree peony make it an exceptional focal point in the landscape. Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Furnace for Making Pills of Immortality’ excels when used as a specimen plant where its individual beauty can be fully appreciated. They are equally effective when planted in groups or utilized as informal hedges along fences, driveways, or retaining walls.
As accents, their medium size (3 to 5 feet tall) allows them to frame architectural features without overwhelming them. The attractive, deeply divided green foliage lasts all season, meaning the Tree peony provides aesthetic value long after the pink flowers have finished. Consider pairing them with spring-blooming bulbs or summer-perennials that can take advantage of the shade cast by the peony’s structure later in the season.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Paeonia suffruticosa, commonly called tree peony, is a deciduous, woody shrub that typically grows 3-5’ tall with a 4’ spread. The true species features large flowers (6-8” across) with pink to white petals, each petal having a purple basal patch. ‘Furnace for Making Pills of Immortality’ is distinguished by its large, double flowers presenting frilly pink petals. Genus name comes from the Greek name for Paeon, physician of the gods and reputed discoverer of the medicinal properties of plants in this genus.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
Potential Problems
Tree peonies are generally considered pest free, making this variety, Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Furnace for Making Pills of Immortality’, a relatively worry-free choice. However, growers should watch for rare susceptibility to minor issues such as canker, leaf blight, stem wilt, and scale insects. A common sight on developing peony buds is the presence of ants; these are entirely harmless and do not require intervention, as they are simply feeding on the nectar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Tree peony suitable for?
This beautiful Tree peony cultivar is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8.
How large does Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Furnace for Making Pills of Immortality’ grow?
This deciduous shrub typically reaches a mature height between 3 and 5 feet tall with a spread of 3 to 4 feet wide.
When does Tree peony bloom?
Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Furnace for Making Pills of Immortality’ displays its lovely pink blooms in early spring, generally between April and May.
What sun exposure does Tree peony need?
For best flowering, ensure your Tree peony receives full sun to part shade exposure throughout the growing season.
Conclusion
The Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Furnace for Making Pills of Immortality’ offers dramatic, showy pink flowers and dependable, attractive foliage in a tough, woody shrub form. The enduring nature of this spectacular Tree peony makes it a worthwhile long-term investment for structure and color. Before planting, confirm that your site is within USDA Zones 4-8 and offers appropriate sun exposure for optimal bloom performance.
Companion Planting
Choosing the right companion plants ensures that your Tree peony thrives while maintaining aesthetic appeal throughout the season. Plants with similar soil and water needs—deep, fertile, medium moisture soil with full or partial sun—are ideal partners. Consider pairing the Tree peony with late-blooming perennials, such as Hostas or Japanese Anemones, whose foliage will emerge or mature as the shrub finishes flowering, helping to mask any thinning foliage or spent blooms below.
For foundational contrast, low-growing evergreens or spreading groundcovers that don’t aggressively compete for water near the root zone are excellent choices. Avoid shallow-rooted competitors directly beneath the canopy of the venerable Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Furnace for Making Pills of Immortality’, as deep root establishment is key to its long life.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring is the most active time for general care. As late frost danger passes, inspect the woody stems of your Tree peony for any dead wood; remove this first. In early autumn, if shaping is desired, make moderate pruning cuts to encourage bushier lower growth. Watering is crucial during dry mid-summer periods, even though the shrub is somewhat heat tolerant.
Winter care primarily involves observation, especially in colder areas (Zones 4 and 5). Ensure that any established winter protection remains intact, and resist the urge to prune until early spring. Remember that because this is a woody shrub, stems should never be cut back hard like herbaceous varieties, as new growth emerges from the woody base each year.
