Tree Peony 'Shima Nishiki'

The Japanese name of ‘Shima Nishiki’ translates as ‘Fire Flame’ – an appropriate moniker for this eye-catching, bi-colour variety. Tree Peony ‘Shima Nishika’ features large, slightly fragrant, semi-double flowers with papery petals splashed with irregular white and pink streaks. The stamens are a contrasting gold. Height: 1.2m (4ft). Spread: 90cm (3ft).

There are few shrubs which can rival the glamour of tree peonies. Although they are expensive, these are real garden showpieces whose beauty can’t fail to excite gasps of awe. They look like divas but they’re not difficult to grow, provided their basic requirements are met – a sheltered spot in full sun (or light shade) and fertile, free-draining soil. Tree peonies are fully hardy, generally unbothered by pests or diseases and don’t require routine pruning. They also last a life-time, producing abundant, dinner-plate sized, lightly fragrant blooms in late spring/early summer for decades. Their flowers are borne on a sturdy framework of upright, woody stems clothed in deep green, divided leaves.

Plant height and spread is seasonal therefore we list by pot size rather than a defined plant size. The height and spread of the plant delivered will vary depending on the season, meaning arrival images are an indication only.