Overview

Paeonia officinalis 'Anemoniflora Rosea' 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 0.6 m tall. Paeonia officinalis 'Anemoniflora Rosea' 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. It is native to Southern Europe.

About

Paeonia officinalis 'Anemoniflora Rosea' is a clump-forming, upright perennial with fragrant flowers that appear in late spring. It reaches around 0.6 m and carries deeply divided, deciduous foliage that is often bronze-flushed when young. Plants suit a sheltered position in full sun to partial shade and prefer deep, fertile loam or clay kept moist but well drained.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Paeonia officinalis

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 officinalis 'Anemoniflora Rosea' is a southern European perennial in the Paeoniaceae, valued for its scented late-spring flowers. It grows as a compact, clump-forming plant about 0.6 m high, producing deeply divided leaves that commonly show a bronze flush on emergence. Flowering occurs in May to June. Give it rich, deep soil — fertile loam or clay with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH — and keep moisture steady while ensuring good drainage. Sit the plant in full sun or light afternoon shade; it tolerates partial shade but avoid deep shade and take care to prevent early-morning sun hitting buds on frosty mornings. Choose a sheltered spot to reduce wind damage to the upright stems. Hardiness ratings H6–H7 mean it is very hardy to fully hardy across the UK; it also corresponds to USDA zones 3–8. At roughly 0.6 m it suits the front or middle of a herbaceous border or a sheltered cottage-garden bed where its scented blooms can be appreciated in May–June. Note that the foliage is deciduous and young leaves are frequently bronze-tinged, and the plant can be a skin irritant to cats and dogs.

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 officinalis 'Anemoniflora Rosea' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Perennial

Habit

Clump-forming, upright

Foliage

Deciduous; deeply divided, frequently bronze-flushed when young

Height

0.6 m

Native to

Southern Europe

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 officinalis 'Anemoniflora Rosea'

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 'Chalice'Peony
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  Paeonia 'Early Bird'Peony
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  Paeonia 'Good Cheer'Peony
• 
  Paeonia 'Moonrise'peony 'Moonrise'
• 
  Paeonia 'White Innocence'peony 'White Innocence'
• 
  Paeonia (Gansu Group) 'Highdown' (S)