Paeonia suffruticosa 'Sahohime'

Tree Peony ?Princess Saho'

‘Sahohime,’ also sold as ‘Princess Saho,’ is a deciduous woody tree peony shrub with large semi-double, cup-shaped flowers. Blooms are soft white to blush-pink with a pale reddish-purple eyezone near the center and bright golden stamens. The flowers appear in late spring above deeply cut green foliage, and the plant keeps a woody, upright shrub framework through winter rather than dying back to the ground.

Type: Deciduous flowering shrub / Japanese hybrid tree peony
Mature Size: 3 ft. wide × 4–5 ft. tall
USDA Zones: 4a–7b; tree peonies as a group are often listed hardy to 4a–8b
Form: Upright, rounded, woody-stemmed shrub
Light: Full sun to part shade; light afternoon shade helps flowers last longer
Soil / Water: Rich, fertile, evenly moist, well-drained soil; average water, drought tolerant once established
Bloom Time / Length: Late spring; usually a short but very showy bloom period
Wildlife: Attracts bees and butterflies; generally deer and rabbit resistant once established

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent as a specimen shrub, collector peony, mixed border plant, cottage garden feature, Asian-inspired garden plant, or focal point near a patio or entry. The pale white-blush flowers with reddish-purple markings give it a soft, elegant look that pairs well with dark evergreens, purple foliage, hostas, iris, and spring bulbs.

Care:
Plant in a permanent, protected location with good drainage. If grafted, plant the graft union about 4–6 inches below the soil line 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 back to the ground in fall; tree peonies keep woody stems through winter.

Trademark / Patent:

Plant type

Deciduous Shrub, Flowering Deciduous Shrub, Perennial

Height

4-5'

Width

3'

Hardiness zones

4–7

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Slow

Bloom time

Early Summer, Late Spring

Flower color

Pink

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies

Soil

Moist well-drained, Rich

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Corner Accent

Shape

Rounded, Upright

Bark

Exfoliating

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No