About
Paeonia peregrina, the exotic peony, is a herbaceous perennial with erect stems and stiff, glossy, dark-green leaves with nine leaflets. Single, glossy, bowl-shaped, deep-red flowers to about 12 cm across with yellow stamens are produced in late spring and early summer. A vivid and rewarding wild peony for a sunny, fertile, 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
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden
Native toItaly to Moldova and Turkey
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 plant but resents disturbance. See herbaceous peony cultivation for further information.
PruningRemove dead flowers as they fade, then cut back plant after the foliage has died down in autumn
PropagationPropagate 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