Overview

Paeonia lactiflora 'Lady Alexandra Duff' is a clump-forming, upright perennial in the genus Paeonia, part of the Paeoniaceae family, with deciduous; deeply divided, frequently bronze-flushed when young foliage. It typically grows around 0.8 m tall. Paeonia lactiflora 'Lady Alexandra Duff' grows best in full sun to partial shade, and tolerates deep and fertile loam or clay soils and neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6–H7.

About

Paeonia lactiflora 'Lady Alexandra Duff' is an upright, clump-forming perennial peony with fragrant blooms in May to June. It grows to about 0.8 m and has deeply divided leaves that are frequently bronze-flushed when young. Best sited in full sun to partial shade on deep, fertile loam or clay that is neutral to slightly alkaline and moist but well drained, in a sheltered position. Hardy in the UK to H6–H7 (very hardy to fully hardy).

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Paeonia lactiflora

About the genus

The peony or paeony is any flowering plant in the genus Paeonia, the only genus in the family Paeoniaceae. Peonies are native to Asia, Europe, and Western North America. Scientists differ on the number of species that can be distinguished, ranging from 25 to 40, although the current consensus describes 33 known species.

Wikipedia contributors, "Peony", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Peony

In the garden

Paeonia lactiflora 'Lady Alexandra Duff' is a herbaceous perennial peony that produces scented, late-spring flowers from May to June and forms an upright, clump-forming mound to roughly 0.8 m. The foliage is deciduous and deeply divided, often showing a bronze flush on young growth, which adds seasonal colour before the leaves mature. Give this peony a sunny to part-shade site with deep, fertile loam or clay and a neutral to slightly alkaline soil reaction. Soil should be moist but well drained; avoid heavy waterlogging and choose a sheltered exposure to reduce wind damage to the flower stems. Where possible, avoid planting where shoots catch early morning sun on frosted mornings, as buds are vulnerable at that stage. It is rated H6–H7 for UK conditions (very hardy to fully hardy). Paeonia lactiflora 'Lady Alexandra Duff' suits the middle or front of a mixed border where its scented flowers can be appreciated at close range, or beside a path or patio. Keep in mind the foliage and sap can be a skin irritant to pets; for further guidance and emergency contact numbers see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants. Avoid sites that give frosty dawn sun to developing buds of Paeonia lactiflora 'Lady Alexandra Duff'.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Paeonia

Sunlight

Full sun to partial shade

Soil type

Deep, fertile loam or clay

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly alkaline

Soil moisture

Moist but well drained

Aspect

Any but deep shade; avoid early morning sun on frosted buds

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H6–H7

Plant details

Paeonia lactiflora 'Lady Alexandra Duff' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Perennial

Habit

Clump-forming, upright

Foliage

Deciduous; deeply divided, frequently bronze-flushed when young

Height

0.8 m

Fragrance

Flower

Toxicity

Pets (dogs, cats): Skin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Paeonia lactiflora 'Lady Alexandra Duff'

Cultivation

Plant herbaceous peonies with the crown no more than 3cm below the surface — deep planting is the commonest reason a clump never flowers. Enrich the ground thoroughly before planting, then leave undisturbed, and support the heaviest doubles before the buds open.

Pruning

Cut herbaceous stems to ground level once the foliage has died back in autumn and clear the debris away, which reduces the risk of peony wilt. Tree peonies need only dead or crossing wood removed after flowering.

Propagation

Divide herbaceous crowns in late autumn into sections carrying at least three dormant buds with roots attached, and only once flowering begins to decline. Tree peonies are grafted or layered; seed is slow and variable.

Pest resistance

Rarely troubled by pests. Ants on swelling buds are drawn to the nectar and do no harm.

Disease resistance

Susceptible to peony wilt in damp seasons; open spacing and prompt removal of affected growth are the best defence.

Frequently asked questions

More in the Paeonia genus

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  Paeonia 'Moonrise'peony 'Moonrise'
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  Paeonia 'White Innocence'peony 'White Innocence'
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  Paeonia (Gansu Group) 'Highdown' (S)