Yes, these beautiful flowers can grow well in shady spots. I’ve been growing peonies for more than ten years, and this is one of the questions I get asked most often. This is all you need to know about how to grow peonies in the shade.
The Quick Answer
Some types of peonies can actually do pretty well in some shade, even though most of them like full sun. But here’s the thing: no peony likes deep, full shade. For those beautiful blooms we all love, most need at least three to four hours of direct sunlight every day.
Best Peony Types for Shade Gardens
1. Tree Peonies
These woody-stemmed beauties are some of the most shade-tolerant peonies out there, Here are my top picks
- ‘High Noon’ – Gorgeous yellow blooms that do well with 4 hours of sun
- ‘Shimane Chojuraku’ – Beautiful lavender flowers that love dappled shade
- General tree peonies can handle as little as 2-3 hours of direct sun
2. Woodland Peonies
These natural shade-dwellers include
- Paeonia obovata – Early blooming with white to purple flowers
- Paeonia japonica – Pure white blooms with yellow centers
- Paeonia mairei – Pretty pink flowers with spicy fragrance
3. Intersectional (Itoh) Peonies
These hybrids are super adaptable:
- ‘First Arrival’ – Early blooming pink variety
- ‘Bartzella’ – Lemon yellow blooms that handle partial shade well
Tips for Growing Peonies in Shade
- Location Matters
- Choose spots with morning sun when possible
- Avoid deep shade under evergreens
- Plant near deciduous trees for spring sun exposure
- Soil Preparation
- Use well-draining, rich soil
- Add organic matter for better nutrition
- Maintain consistent moisture
- Care Requirements
- Water regularly but don’t overdo it
- Mulch to retain moisture
- Prune surrounding plants to maximize available light
What Happens When Peonies Don’t Get Enough Sun?
I’ve seen several issues pop up when peonies don’t get adequate sunlight:
- Fewer blooms
- Smaller flowers
- Weaker stems
- Delayed blooming
- Paler colors
Best Practices for Shade-Grown Peonies
Here’s what’s worked best in my garden:
- Light Management
Morning Sun Hours | Plant Performance----------------- | -----------------2-3 hours | Minimal blooming4-6 hours | Good blooming6+ hours | Optimal blooming- Companion Planting
Plant with other shade-loving perennials like:
- Hostas
- Ferns
- Astilbe
- Seasonal Care
- Spring: Remove any overhead branches blocking light
- Summer: Monitor water needs more closely in shade
- Fall: Clean up fallen leaves to prevent disease
- Winter: Protect from heavy snow loads
Common Questions I Get About Shade-Grown Peonies
Q: Will my peonies bloom at all in shade?
A: Yes, but expect fewer and smaller blooms than those grown in full sun.
Q: Which color peonies do best in shade?
A: I’ve found that lighter colors like white and pale pink show up better in shady areas.
Q: Can I move my peonies to a shadier spot?
A: Yes, but do it in fall and expect them to take a year or two to recover.
My Final Thoughts
While growing peonies in shade isn’t ideal, it’s definitely doable with the right varieties and care. I’ve had success with tree peonies and woodland types in my partially shaded garden beds. Just remember – no peony will thrive in deep shade, so aim for spots with at least a few hours of direct sunlight.
Don’t give up on peonies just because your garden is in the shade. Pick the right kind and take good care of them, and you’ll still be able to enjoy these lovely flowers. Perhaps not as many as their siblings that grow in full sun, but they’ll still add a lot of beauty to your shady spots.
Powdery Mildew – Erysiphales (Fungus)
Peony leaves that look like they are covered in a white powder are likely to have powdery mildew in your garden.
SYMPTOMS: Leaves turn white. Onset is in late June through September. It is not fatal and tree peonies are less prone than herbaceous or intersectional peonies to this fungus. In some years, powdery mildew is worse than others. It can infect plants when there are hot days, high humidity, and cool nights. This year, there aren’t many sprays or oils that can completely get rid of powdery mildew on plants once they have it. However, there are some preventative remedies to keep your plants from getting powdery mildew in coming years.
TESTING: We encourage you to get your plants tested so you know exactly what you are dealing with. Send a sample to your State’s Agricultural University ‘s Plant Diagnostic Center for laboratory diagnosis and treatment recommendations. At Peony’s Envy we use both the Plant Diagnostic Laboratory of Rutgers NJAES and the Cornell Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic.
OUTLOOK: Considered more unsightly than harmful in peonies.
TREATMENT: Bacillus subtilis to boost plants natural defenses; neem oil or other horticultural oils after the leaves have formed; baking soda spray (1t baking soda, 1qt. water and a few drops of liquid soap) on the soil in early spring and on the plant itself in the summer; rhubarb leaf tea; cornmeal as a soil amendment; or mixed as a spray; products containing sulfur, or a biofungicide recommended to treat powdery mildew on peonies;. All pesticides should be used exactly as the package says, and solutions should be tested on small parts of the plant first before being used on the whole thing.
Another good natural preventative remedy is to regularly spray a solution of 30% milk to 70% water on your plants on sunny days. This helps not only peonies, but all plants susceptible to powdery mildew.
PREVENTION: Healthy plants are less susceptible to disease. Peonies require the proper amount of sun, nutritious soil, good air circulation, and the right amount of water. Encourage good air circulation by spacing peonies at least 3 feet apart and by keeping the base of each plant clean and free of weeds. Water only as needed and always in the morning using drip irrigation; do not use overhead irrigation and avoid watering at night. Never plant peonies in low-lying areas where soils flood. Amend soils prior to planting to ensure good drainage and proper nutrition. Use compost to maintain nutritious soil. Keep a close eye on your peony plants especially during early spring rains when fungi and viruses begin to take hold.
Botrytis – Botrytis paeoniae (Fungus)
SYMPTOMS: Stalks wilt and die, buds turn black. Onset is typically in early spring but can be at any time when temperatures remain below 70 degrees. Botrytis is especially prevalent when the weather is cool, wet, and humid. Botrytis is common and when seen in your garden can persist for years through spores in the soil.
TESTING: We encourage you to get your plants tested so you know exactly what you are dealing with. Send a sample to your State’s Agricultural University ‘s Plant Diagnostic Center for laboratory diagnosis and treatment recommendations. At Peony’s Envy we use both the Plant Diagnostic Laboratory of Rutgers NJAES and the Cornell Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic.
OUTLOOK: Botrytis is easy to treat but can kill peonies and other plants when not treated, so it is especially important to pay attention to signs of the fungus.
TREATMENT: When noticed, cut off diseased portions of the plant, dipping the pruners in a 10% solution of bleach (or use Clorox wipes) between each cut to ensure the disease does not spread. Throw out the diseased portions; do not compost. A more aggressive option would be to use systemic fungicide labeled for use on peonies. The cooperative extension service of New Jersey recommends Ferban and Manebrom. Griffin Greenhouse Supply recommends products including Cease, Daconil, Medallion, and Veranda-O. Follow label instructions carefully and test fungicides on one plant before making large scale applications. Continue to treat according to the label instructions as the disease persists. Their are OMRI approved fungicides for the treatment of botrytis.
PREVENTION: Healthy plants are less susceptible to disease. Peonies require the proper amount of sun, nutritious soil, good air circulation, and the right amount of water. Encourage good air circulation by spacing peonies at least 3 feet apart and by keeping the base of each plant clean and free of weeds. Water only as needed and always in the morning using drip irrigation; do not use overhead irrigation and avoid watering at night. Never plant peonies in low-lying areas where soils flood. Amend soils prior to planting to ensure good drainage and proper nutrition. Use compost to maintain nutritious soil. Keep a close eye on your peony plants especially during early spring rains when fungi and viruses begin to take hold.