Paeonia suffruticosa 'Renkaku'

Renkaku Tree Peony

Renkaku’ is a deciduous woody tree peony shrub prized for very large, elegant white blooms with golden-yellow centers. The flowers are usually semi-double to double, lightly fragrant, and held above deeply cut green foliage in early to mid spring. The Japanese name Renkaku is often translated as “Flight of Cranes,” referring to the white, flaring petals that resemble crane wings. Mature plants develop a refined, upright shrub form and can become long-lived garden specimens when left undisturbed.

Type: Deciduous flowering shrub / tree peony
Mature Size: 3–5 ft. wide × 3–5 ft. tall; some listings allow a taller range with age and ideal conditions.
USDA Zones: 4a–8b, commonly listed as 4–7 by nursery sources.
Form: Upright, rounded, woody-stemmed shrub
Light: Full sun to part shade; light afternoon shade helps protect blooms in hot sites
Soil / Water: Rich, fertile, well-drained soil; average moisture, avoid soggy or poorly drained locations
Bloom Time / Length: Early to mid spring; often April–May in cooler Midwest gardens, with individual blooms lasting a short but highly showy period.
Wildlife: Attracts bees; generally deer resistant, though young buds and stems may still need protection in high-pressure areas.

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent as a specimen shrub, focal point near an entry, mixed border plant, cottage garden feature, Asian-inspired garden plant, or collector peony. The pure white flowers with yellow centers make it especially useful for moon gardens, white-themed plantings, and contrast against darker evergreens or burgundy foliage. Flowers may be cut, but tree peonies are often best enjoyed in the landscape because the blooms are large and dramatic.

Care:
Plant in a protected site with good drainage and room to mature. If grafted, plant the graft union several inches below the soil surface so the tree peony can develop its own roots. Mulch lightly, keeping mulch away from the woody crown. Remove spent flowers after bloom and prune only dead, damaged, weak, or crossing wood. Do not cut to the ground in fall; tree peonies keep woody stems through winter.

Plant type

Flowering Deciduous Shrub

Height

3-5'

Width

3-5'

Hardiness zones

4–7

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Bloom time

Late Spring

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies

Soil

Moist well-drained, Rich

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Corner Accent, Specimen

Shape

Rounded, Upright

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No