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tree peony growth from bottom?

16 years ago

Hi all--two summers ago I planted a no-name white tree peony from Park/Wayside. It bloomed lightly for the first time last year, and it's coming back even better this year. Only thing is, there is a flush of new growth coming from the ground. I'm assuming these things are grafted. Will I be able to tell if the new flush is rootstock? I planted it deeply enough that I'm hoping it's just more glorious tree peony. Any guidance you all can give me? Thanks.

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Comments (3)

bubba62
16 years ago
There should be an obvious difference in the shape/finish of the leaves if it's a growth from below the graft. Unfortunately, that's usually the case in situations like that. Deep planting helps, but it's not a guarantee. Just give it time to leaf out and watch it carefully. If you're still not sure, you can always post a picture to get lots of opinions!
primgal36
16 years ago
I just planted 2 bare root tree peonies last fall. One has some growth, the other one hasn't done anything yet. Maybe it's still waking up. I followed the planting guidelines. I'm used to waiting on peonies since I do have to buy most of mine bare root or I'd go broke. They're one of my favorites. The soil is good compost and manure, I guess I'll keep waiting.
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Omni, if this branch is sprouting from below the graft, then it is the rootstock trying to leaf out. Not helping your tree at all and snap it off. You don't want branches sprouting from the rootstock, or suckers coming up from the ground from the rootstock. Even if it's from the graft (above the graft line), you may not want a branch that low, so again, just take your thumb and rub it off. That's called "thumb pruning". Patty S.
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Thanks. All my tree peonies are new so I do not know when I will see a flower from them. Though I have much hope with the tree peonies that I bought as division because they may have flower buds formed from last year. I doubt that I will see any flowers from grafted peonies for at least a couple more years. It is still exciting to see the growths on them. I got a little carried away with the Rockii last year. This year I hope to get a few Luteas to add to the garden. Steve, it sounds like you have a lot of peonies. How do you manage to keep track and take care of them all? Do you have a system of id's? I only have 10 TP and I am already overwhelmed.
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Sprout leaves being shaped differently than the TP leaves, is your clue if sprout is herbacous root or a new shoot off the TP itself. From this group, I learned to plant my TP roots deep, letting the TP grow it's own roots over time and start sending up true shoots to increase the size. So I usually wait, see what the new shoot looks like as it grows, before removeal or letting it continue to grow. Herbacous Peonies are just a stem, not with side buds for branching out. Leaves are usually coarser, and don't match the TP leaf shapes. My newest TPs are getting buds, will be their first flowering since planting!! I am excited, they will be like little presents popping open. I think this is the third spring since planting. They were so LITTLE, now ready to flower! They don't seem to be getting up any faster, even with much staring at them, several times a day!!
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Shudavies, not all growth is herbaceous. tps put up shoots also from below the surface. Some people even plant tps at an angle so they will form new plants. This is called layering. This year if you haven't already cut them off wait until the leaves unroll. Then check to see if are from herbaceous or tree. On another site someone mentioned that tps are generally not shiny and herbaceous are very shiny. There are exceptions to this as for everything. If you want a tree form remove the growth if it is from the mother plant. If you want a larger shrub like plant let them grow. Each appeals it is a matter of personal likes.
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dirtdiver
Original Author
15 years ago
Just wanted to thank Bubba62 for the reply. Things have leafed out more, and it looks like the new bottom growth is indeed tree peony foliage, not herbaceous-type leaves. I'm excited to see this plant do well.

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