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Key characteristics

Height: 24 to 36 inches tall
Width: 24 to 36 inches wide (forms an upright shrub)
Flower color: Deep brick‑red to dark crimson double blooms
Foliage color: Glossy deep green leaves
Bloom time: May to early June
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low; remove spent blooms; prune in late season; strong, sturdy stems usually need no staking
Growing zone: USDA zones 4 to 9
Wildlife: Fragrant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators; deer- and rabbit-resistant

Shrubs

Paeonia 'Hephestos'

Hephestos Tree Peony

Paeonia 'Hephestos' is a hybrid tree peony with large, double brick-red blooms that appear in late spring. The lotus-shaped flowers have lightly ruffled, pointed petals and a soft, citrus-like fragrance. Held upright on woody stems, the blooms maintain their shape well and offer a bold presence in both gardens and floral arrangements.

Bred by George Daphnis and introduced in 1977, 'Hephestos' is a Lutea hybrid valued for its strong stems, reliable bloom, and rich color.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

May to early June

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Borders
Cut Flower Gardens
Pollinator Gardens

Companion plants

Thyme · Switch grasses · Catmint · Penstemons · Coreopsis · Blanket flower

Design tip

Give ‘Hephestos’ enough space for its upright, shrubby form and large flowers to be a focal point rather than becoming lost among surrounding foliage. Its sturdy stems hold the heavy double blooms upright without staking, helping preserve a clean, structured appearance during flowering.