Peony Tree, Lan Bao Shi or Blue Sapphire Paeonia suffruticosa 'Lan Bao Shi' Height: 6 feet Spread: 6 feet
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Hardiness Zone: 4b Other Names: Blue Sapphire Tree Peony, Blue Jewel Tree Peony Description: A beautiful woody peony for the garden, presenting white blooms with magenta flares and a very light cast of blue; great as an accent in the garden or massed in borders; unlike perennial peonies, remember not to prune this variety Ornamental Features Peony Tree, Lan Bao Shi or Blue Sapphire features bold lightly-scented semi-double white cup-shaped flowers with powder blue overtones, yellow eyes and a hot pink blotch at the ends of the branches from mid to late spring. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It has attractive light green deciduous foliage. The narrow compound leaves are highly ornamental but do not develop any appreciable fall color. Landscape Attributes Peony Tree, Lan Bao Shi or Blue Sapphire is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage. This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics. Peony Tree, Lan Bao Shi or Blue Sapphire is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Peony Tree, Lan Bao Shi or Blue Sapphire will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more. This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. To help this plant achive its best flowering performance, periodically apply a flower-boosting fertilizer from early spring through into the active growing season. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.
