Overview
Paeonia 'Love Affair' is a bushy herbaceous perennial in the genus Paeonia, part of the Paeoniaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Paeonia 'Love Affair' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates well-drained and loamy soils and neutral and slightly acidic pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include borders, cut flowers and containers.
About
Paeonia 'Love Affair' (Love Affair Peony) is a herbaceous perennial in the Paeoniaceae family, suited to full sun or partial shade in a sheltered, south-facing aspect. It thrives in moist, well-drained, loamy soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH and is hardy to UK zone H5. This cultivar is valued for its strong, pleasant fragrance and is ideal for borders, cut flowers, and containers. Planting is best done in autumn or early spring, with division of root clumps for propagation. After the foliage dies back in autumn, it should be cut to ground level, and mulching in winter is recommended to protect the roots.
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
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Paeonia
- Sunlight
- full sun, partial shade
- Soil type
- well-drained, loamy
- Soil pH
- neutral, slightly acidic
- Soil moisture
- moist
- Aspect
- south-facing
- Exposure
- sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Paeonia 'Love Affair' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- herbaceous perennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- borders, cut flowers, containers
- Fragrance
- strong,pleasant
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Paeonia 'Love Affair'
- Cultivation
- Plant in autumn or early spring; prefers fertile, well-drained soil; avoid waterlogging; mulch in winter.
- Pruning
- Cut back foliage to ground level after it dies back in autumn.
- Propagation
- division of root clumps in autumn
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Paeonia 'Love Affair'?
Plant in autumn or early spring; prefers fertile, well-drained soil; avoid waterlogging; mulch in winter.
Where is the best place to plant Paeonia 'Love Affair'?
Paeonia 'Love Affair' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Paeonia 'Love Affair' need?
Paeonia 'Love Affair' grows best in well-drained and loamy soil. It prefers neutral and slightly acidic soil. Aim for soil that stays moist.
How do I prune Paeonia 'Love Affair'?
Cut back foliage to ground level after it dies back in autumn.
Is Paeonia 'Love Affair' hardy in the UK?
Paeonia 'Love Affair' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Paeonia 'Love Affair'?
Division of root clumps in autumn.
More in the Paeonia genus
- Paeoniapeony
- Paeonia 'Archangel'peony 'Archangel'
- Paeonia 'Chalice'Peony
- Paeonia 'Early Bird'Peony
- Paeonia 'Good Cheer'Peony
- Paeonia 'Moonrise'peony 'Moonrise'
- Paeonia 'White Innocence'peony 'White Innocence'
- Paeonia (Gansu Group) 'Highdown' (S)
