Pretty, Nancy! If that's a poor representation for the plant I'm really looking forward to seeing the typical flowers!

Wow, that is wonderful, Nancy! How long did it take for your seedling to bloom from time of germination? How did you germinate the seeds?

Karen, I got the seeds fresh & planted them directly in the ground when I got them. I received 6 seeds, got 4 seedlings. One seedling died off pretty soon, & I accidentally weeded out another 2. This one has proven really hardy, the first to bloom every spring. I don't think the flowers last as long as my other peonies, but it always has lots of 6"or larger blooms on it. I say that, but this year the blooms are only about 4", but I blame that on moving it. I probably should have divided it when I moved it, but I've never divided a tree peony before. Stupid question probably, but aren't tree peonies usually grafted? So since this is on its own root, is it still a tree peony :)

There are many tree peonies grown on own root. In fact, I have 2 that are grown on own roots now. I bought them as divisions of the mother tree.

Thanks for the info, Karen!

I don't think tree peonies really need to be divided, they don't decline with years like some herbaceous peonies do. If the blooms are smaller it could be weather related. Don't think many tree peonies have side buds but if your plant has a lot more buds than normal I'd think the blooms would be smaller. They don't typically HAVE to be fertilized but Karen's regime of bulb fertilizer and azomite seems to make them happy. I've started doing it and saw enough difference to be a believer now!

i've not tried to divide a tree peony before but have heard some have log tap roots that you don't want to damage. Root division or layering is the only way to get a true copy other than grafting.

When I moved this one last fall, I wasn't sure it would make it. It really looked quite dead, although it lingered a long time. I was so glad to see it green up this year, & happy that it is doing as well as it is.

Is this tree peony in its 4th year?

This is its 4th year for bloom, maybe 3rd, it bloomed year 3 so at least 6 years old.