This shrub is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: fertile, moisture-retentive yet well-drained
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: April to June
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Prized for their blowsy, glamorous blooms and glossy, deeply cut foliage, peonies are held in deep affection by many gardeners, despite their short flowering season. It's easy to see why. The young leaves of this tree or shrub peony are flushed burgundy and in late spring, lustrous, single, maroon flowers appear among the handsome dark green foliage. This magnificent tree peony is ideal for a sunny border, planted among shrubs that flower later in the summer. Plant spring bulbs around the base to prolong the season of interest.
  
  
• Garden care: Protect from cold winds and early morning sun. Support the branches of young trees with canes. In early spring apply a top-dressing of a balanced, slow-release fertiliser around the base of the plant and mulch well with well-rotted compost or manure. The older stems of tree peonies have a tendency to become brittle and snap, so cut these back to the ground in autumn every two or three years.