does anyone in these zones currently grow jap. tree peonies? and do these have the same growing conditions as chinese tree peonies?

will jap. tree peonies bloom in zones 8 and 9? thanks.

and has anyone heard of removing peony leaves in nov. to force dormancy. not the buds or the branches. only the leaves.

Oh, here is your question. I don't recall Steve having talked about tree peonies. Have you considered emailing Don Hollingsworth? I know you have dealt with him in your co-ops, he is a wonderful man and a true wealth of information. And as far as growers, is about the furthest south. Let me know what you find out. It's an interesting question. It doesn't make sense to me that it would work, only the temperature fluctuation seems like it would force the dormancy, but then, I am not a tree peony

lovemyhouse found the info again online. and what the article said was to do that ONLY in frost free zones. so that wouldn't be me anyway.

i will ask don or lucas.

thanks for answering me trace. how do you like your new home over here?

Barb, do let us know what you find out. I hadn't heard anything like that before. New home looks alike like old home. It made sense for us to move to the all gardening site. How about your co-ops? What are you thinking?

i just found that you had written again. i was asking this question because someone in florida was wanting tree peonies but i was telling her she prob. shouldn't invest that much money in a VERY "iffy" situation.

Florida would not be a place I would try them. Some are more willing to take the risk and try it though. The plants are generally not inexpensive, even in the best cases. I think of all sorts of beautiful things that she can grow that I can't here. I think in the end, there is always a bit of zone envy going both ways. I know I always get drawn to growing something that I should know better based on the data, but I have been known to try it anyway...no matter how futile.

that's what i told her. if the plants were inexpensive it would be different.