The herbaceous paeony is one of the most rewarding flowers, both in the border and for cutting. The size and voluptuous paeony flower has the look of another, less hurried era. In 1952 the famous gardener and writer Vita Sackville-West wrote of her 'gross Edwardian swagger ladies'. The paeony has a place in our garden today, just as it did then and the romance of this lovely flower remains as strong today.
The name derives from the Greek - Paean was the physician to the Gods and, after curing Pluto of a wound, he was changed into a flower to protect him from the jealousy of other gods. Paeonies (in America the common name is spelt 'peony') have long been used medicinally.
In the nineteenth century tree paeonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) and herbaceous paeonies (P. lactiflora) were introduced from China, adding to the varieties found in European gardens. Today there are new intersectional hybrids between herbaceous P. lactiflora hybrids and shrubby P. suffruticosa bred in the USA are available.
The earliest colonists brought paeonies to New Zealand and many can still be found in old established gardens. Many are the P. officinalis 'Rubra Plena' but well-established clumps of other older varieties can be found. Paeonies are not restricted to cottage gardens, they are found in formal gardens, grand gardens and can be used to make a striking feature in any garden.
The paeony has something to offer in most seasons- from the first fat, red shoots pushing through the soil in late spring, the deeply cut foliage, followed by fat flower buds, which burst into huge, luscious flowers- single, semi-double and double in semi-transparent white with gold stamens, silky crimson, rich pink, deep ruby and clear yellow.
The deep magenta of the old cottage paeony, P. officinalis is a little too much for some of us but it is very useful against the paler hues of tulips or as a contrast to its paler cousins the P. lactiflora hybrids. These come in every shade from white to soft shell pink through deep pink and cerise to deep magenta.
P. mlokosewitschii
Hard to say and hard to find
The semi-double 'Miss America' is a pristine white and gorgeous; the full blooms of 'Festiva Maxima' are creamy white splashed with magenta and a long-time favourite. 'Sarah Bernhardt' is a fragrant, full soft pink; 'Mrs Franklin D Roosevelt' is a semi-double soft pink.
Paeonia lactiflora 'Albert Crousse'
Cultivation
A rich, moist but well drained neutral soil.
Plant in sun or part-shade. Paeonies need at least six hours sun per day.
Dig plenty of compost into the border before planting.
Add blood and bone for a quick boost in the first year
Mulch well with 3 to 5cm compost each year.
Cool climate plants, peonies do best where there are cold winters.
Paeonies prefer to be undisturbed so plant up to 1m apart to allow the plants room to spread
Soft rot can occur on roots, mostly on those that have been lifted and stored too long. Remove the affected parts with a sharp knife.
Use flowers of sulphur on roots showing damage.
Rotting buds and blackened leaves are systemic fungicides can control symptoms of botrytis paeoniae.
Propagation
Usually by division. Dig the plant in late autumn and, using a clean, sharp knife, remove roots with 3 to 5 eyes (buds)
Small divisions will take longer (up to 5 years) to bloom regularly
Check the roots for fungal disease and remove any affected.
Seeds can be grown, plus there is always the chance of a glorious new hybrid!
Plant 3-5 cm below the surface and watch for frost heave damage in severe weather.
Paeonia officinalis 'Rubra Plena'
The soft lilac-pink of 'Mons Jules Elie' is set off by the mass of creamy stamens. 'Albert Crousse' is soft pink; 'Karl Rosenfeld' is a startling single cerise with golden stamens. Bowl of Beauty is an old variety, single with clear pink petals and a central mass of creamy stamens.
Peonies are cool climate plants needing a winter chill to set buds. If you live in a warmer climate try one of the earlier flowering, more heat tolerant varieties- 'Festiva Maxima', 'Coral Charm', 'Clare de Lune', 'Miss America', 'Mrs Franklin D Roosevelt' and 'Scarlet O'Hara' are all reputed to flower better in warmer climates.
