Paeonia suffruticosa 'Hoki'

Hoki Tree Peony

Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Hoki’ is a deciduous woody tree peony with large, semi-double, rich red to crimson-red flowers accented by bright golden-yellow stamens. The ruffled blooms are usually 6–8 inches across and appear in late spring on sturdy woody stems above deeply divided green foliage. Unlike herbaceous peonies, tree peonies keep their woody framework through winter and leaf out from those stems each spring. ‘Hoki’ is also sometimes listed as ‘Houki’ or sold under the translated name Sweet 17.

Type: Deciduous woody shrub / tree peony
Mature Size: 3–5 ft. wide × 3–5 ft. tall
USDA Zones: 4a–8b
Form: Upright, rounded, woody shrub with open branching
Light: Full sun to part shade; best with morning sun and some afternoon protection in hot areas
Soil / Water: Rich, fertile, well-drained soil; even moisture preferred, but avoid soggy soil
Bloom Time / Length: Late spring, often May; usually about 7–10 days depending on weather
Wildlife: Flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects; generally deer and rabbit resistant

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent as a specimen shrub, focal point, foundation accent, Japanese-style garden plant, mixed border feature, or collector peony. ‘Hoki’ is valued for its bold red semi-double flowers, yellow stamens, and strong contrast against blue-green to medium-green foliage. Tree peonies bloom earlier than many herbaceous peonies and provide a more shrub-like structure in the garden.

Care:
Plant in a protected site with good drainage and avoid transplanting once established. Set grafted tree peonies deeply enough so the graft union is several inches below the soil surface, encouraging the tree peony to root on its own. Mulch lightly, water during dry spells, and prune only dead or damaged wood after leaf-out confirms what is alive. Do not cut tree peonies to the ground in fall like herbaceous peonies.

Plant type

Deciduous Shrub, Flowering Shrub

Height

3-5'

Width

3-5'

Hardiness zones

4–8

Sunlight

Partial Shade

Bloom time

Late Spring

Flower color

Rose

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies

Soil

Moist well-drained, Rich

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Corner Accent, Specimen

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No