Overview

Paeonia 'Legion of Honour' 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. Paeonia 'Legion of Honour' 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. Suggested uses include borders, cut flowers and cottage gardens.

About

Paeonia 'Legion of Honour' is a clump-forming, upright perennial peony noted for mildly fragrant spring blooms and finely divided foliage. Leaves are deciduous and often show a bronze flush when young. It flowers in May to June and prefers full sun to partial shade in deep, fertile loam or clay.

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 'Legion of Honour' is a cultivated peony variety grown for its scented flowers and distinctive, divided leaves that often emerge bronze-tinted. As a clump-forming, upright perennial, it appears in the herbaceous peony rotation of the garden each spring and reliably flowers in May to June. Plant it in a position that receives full sun or partial shade, avoiding deep shade and sites exposed to early morning sun when late frosts are possible, as frosted buds can be damaged. It prefers deep, fertile loam or clay soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline reaction and likes to remain moist but well drained; choose a sheltered aspect to protect emerging shoots and blooms. In UK terms its H6–H7 rating places it from very hardy to fully hardy, so it will withstand winter cold across most districts when sited sensibly. Use Paeonia 'Legion of Honour' in mixed borders, cottage gardens or a cutting patch where its mildly fragrant blooms can be enjoyed indoors. The clump-forming habit gives structure through spring and the bronze-tinted young foliage adds an early-season colour note. For the best indoor scent, cut stems in the early morning as flowers open and place them in a cool room to extend vase life.

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 'Legion of Honour' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Perennial

Habit

Clump-forming, upright

Foliage

Deciduous; deeply divided, frequently bronze-flushed when young

Suggested uses

Borders, cut flowers, cottage gardens

Fragrance

Mildly fragrant

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Paeonia 'Legion of Honour'

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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