About
A clump-forming herbaceous perennial to around 75cm high, with leaves divided into nine broadly oval, mid green leaflets with rounded tips and often wavy edges. In late spring and early summer, cup-shaped single flowers are produced at the tips of the stems, with red, pink or occasionally white petals, and purple filaments in the centre.
About the genus
Paeonia may be herbaceous perennials or deciduous sub-shrubs with large, divided leaves and showy large bowl-shaped flowers, usually in early summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Sand, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming, Bushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toSE Europe to Iran
ToxicityPets (dogs, cats): Skin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in deep, rich, well-drained soil, ideally in full sun but will tolerate light shade. Will not tolerate waterlogging. Flowers may need support, see staking perennials. See herbaceous peony cultivation for more detailed advice
PruningCut back to ground level in autumn, to remove dead foliage and reduce the risk of disease
PropagationPropagate by seed or by division, lifting and dividing established clumps in autumn
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworm and swift moth caterpillar
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a virus, honey fungus, Verticillium wilt, peony leaf blotch and peony wilt