Herbaceous and Woody Perennials

• Herbaceous perennials such as Paeonia lactiflora have soft stems that die to the ground in winter, but the underground crown and root system survive and produce new shoots the following spring. Woody perennials, including Paeonia suffruticosa, have stems that survive winter temperatures. Their stem and branch structure remains in place year-round.
  
  

Characteristics

• Paeonia suffruticosa grows up to 10 feet tall, while Paeonia lactiflora typically grows no taller than 3 feet. Paeonia lactiflora has smaller blossoms, which measure 3 to 4 inches across compared to Paeonia suffruticosa's large, 6 to 12-inch blossoms.
  
  

Requirements

• All peonies need a deep, fertile, humus-rich soil, but while Paeonia lactiflora grows well in either full sun or partial shade, Paeonia suffruticosa needs partial or dappled shade. Paeonia lactiflora tolerates colder winter temperatures, surviving the winter in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zones 3 to 8, while Paeonia suffruticosa is limited to zones 5 to 9.