About
Paeonia mascula, the wild peony, is an erect, herbaceous perennial with bluish-green leaves divided into nine leaflets. Single, scented, deep purplish-red or rose-pink flowers 7�13 cm across with a boss of dark-yellow stamens are produced in spring. A beautiful wild peony for a sunny, well-drained border.
About the genus
Paeonia, the peonies, may be herbaceous perennials or deciduous subshrubs with large, divided, deeply lobed leaves and showy, bowl-shaped flowers in a wide range of colours, usually in early summer. Long-lived and rewarding garden plants.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Native toS Europe to Iran
FragranceFlower
ToxicityPets (dogs, cats): Skin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationBest in a deep, fertile, humus-rich soil that is moist but well-drained in a sheltered position in full sun or partial shade. Long-lived but resents disturbance. See herbaceous peony cultivation for further information.
PruningRemove dead flowers as they fade, then cut back plant as the foliage dies down in autumn
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in containers outdoors in autumn or early winter (may take two or three years to germinate), or by division in autumn or early spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworm and soil-dwelling swift moth larvae
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a virus, honey fungus, Verticillium wilt, peony leaf blotch and peony wilt