Varieties of Tree Peonies in Zone 9

Warm climate gardeners who think they can't grow peonies in climates that don't freeze during the winter can have success planting tree peonies. Unlike herbaceous peonies, tree peonies do not need freezing winter temperatures to set a bloom. Tree peonies need winter dormancy of temperatures from 30 to 40 F and can be grown successfully in zone 9. Tree peonies are an Asian type of shrub peony that grows up to 4 feet tall and features the same showy flowers as herbaceous peonies. To be successful with peonies in zone 9, Treepeony recommends trimming the leaves off the shrub in November if they do not fall on their own.

Xue Ta
Xue Ta or Snow Flower is a delicate white tree peony. The flowers are white with a faint orange tinge. Xue Ta is a vigorous-growing tree peony with many large blooms. Xiang Yu or Fragrant Jade is another white tree peony with a showy yellow center. Xiang Yu is a late-blooming peony and can grow in sunny spots, while Kue Ta prefers shade and blooms in the mid season.

Cai Hui
Cai Hui, which means Brightly Colored Painting, is a fragrant, showy pink peony. Cai Hui flowers early and features soft, pink flowers. Lan Tian Yu resembles the Cai Hui in shape but features deeper pink flowers. Lan Tian Yu is a late-blooming peony. Both Cai Hui and Lan Tian Yu are semi-dwarf peonies that spread.

Lu He Hong
Lu He Hong is a deep fuchsia peony whose name means Heze Red. Lu He Hong is a stout, spreading tree peony that flowers in mid season. Lu He Hong produces many blooms. Rou Fu Fong resembles Lu He Hong but has delicate yellow stamens in the center of the flower. Rou Fu Fong or Pink Water Lily is another mid-season fuchsia peony known for its fragrance.

Ming Xing
Ming Xing is a red tree peony with deep red flowers. This peony blooms early. Its ruffled petals open to a yellow center with many red-and-yellow dappled stamens. Kao is another red tree peony. As the Kao peony bush ages, blooms take on a purple tinge. Kao is a mid to late season bloomer similar in hue to Ming Xing.

Shima-Nishiki
Shima-Nishiki is a Japanese tree peony with red and white stripes. This mid-season flowering peony is related to Taiyo, a red tree peony. The red variegation is different on each flower.