Paeonia

Common name: Peony

Description: Peonies (Paeonia) are among the most glamorous and enduring of all hardy garden perennials, producing enormous, bowl-shaped flowers in a sumptuous range of colours — from pure white through the full spectrum of pinks to rich crimson-red — often with a delicious sweet fragrance. Herbaceous peonies flower in late spring to early summer, dying back to ground level in winter and returning reliably year after year with minimal attention. They are exceptionally long-lived plants, with well-established specimens known to thrive for many decades. The flowers are also outstanding as cut flowers, and the handsome, deeply divided foliage provides attractive garden structure throughout the growing season.

Other benefits: exceptionally long-lived; sumptuous fragrant flowers; beautiful cut flowers; attractive foliage throughout the growing season; low maintenance once established

Wildlife attraction: bees attracted to the flowers for pollen and nectar

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 60–90cm x 60–90cm (varies by variety)

Position: full sun to partial shade; best flowering in full sun; sheltered from strong winds; do not plant too deeply — the crown should be no more than 2–3cm below the soil surface

Soil pH: neutral (pH 6.0–7.0); fertile, deep, well-drained but moisture-retentive soil; add organic matter before planting

Moisture: moderate; water regularly in the first season; established plants are fairly drought tolerant; mulch annually

Winter hardiness: fully hardy to -20°C