Tree Peony 'Taiyo'

Taiyo is a deciduous tree peony with upright woody stems, divided green leaves, and brilliant red semi-double flowers centered with golden anthers. The RHS cross-lists the Japanese name Taiyo under Paeonia × suffruticosa 'The Sun', while Brooklyn Botanic Garden records Paeonia (Suffruticosa Group) 'Taiyō'. ## Flowers and placement Late-spring and early-summer flowers rise above the shrub’s lobed foliage. Its upright form suits a sheltered flower border, courtyard, or specimen planting. Allow ample room for a mature plant: the RHS gives approximate height and spread ranges of 1.5–2.5 metres and notes that plants may take five to ten years to mature. ## Growing Grow in full sun or partial shade in deep, fertile, humus-rich soil that remains moist but well-drained. Choose an open site sheltered from cold, drying winds. The RHS lists chalk, clay, loam, and sand among suitable soil types. Tree peonies tolerate frost, but late frosts can damage developing buds and foliage, so avoid frost pockets. ## Establishment and care Plant in autumn where possible, water regularly through the first summer, and mulch in spring without covering the stems. If grafted, set the graft union about 6 inches below the soil so the scion can establish its own roots. Established plants are deep-rooted and generally need little routine watering. ## Maintenance Remove dead stems in late winter and retain healthy woody branches. Mulch in spring to conserve moisture, keeping organic material away from the stems. ## Sources [Royal Horticultural Society plant profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/104817/paeonia-%C3%97-suffruticosa-the-sun/details) · [Brooklyn Botanic Garden Plant Finder: Taiyō](https://plants.bbg.org/taxon/15747/paeonia-suffruticosa-group-taiy) · [RHS guide to growing tree peonies](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/peony/tree/growing-guide) ## Maintenance In late winter, remove only dead stems and preserve healthy woody growth. Mulch in spring without piling material against the stems, and water new plantings during dry spells in their first summer.