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Landscaping Value:
Peonies
are extremely long lived and hardy making them a main
stay in the perennial border. Their splendid foliage
often with rich copper and red tints, provide an
excellent backdrop for other plants, but their flowers
surpass all others in elegance. If your plant isn’t
blooming, it may be planted to deep or not getting
enough fertilizer. Peonies make great cut flowers.
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Alternate
species and cultivars: Too many to
list. Herbaceous kinds descend from P. lactiflora, and
tree types descend from P. suffruticosa. |
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Disease/pests:
Botrytis bud blight. Remove and destroy affected foliage. Removing
and replacing topsoil around plants may help if there is a major
botrytis problem. Provide good drainage and air circulation.
References: Hortus
Third, The New Royal Horticultural Society, Sunset Western Garden.
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at
a glance:
Plant type:
Perennial herb and shrub, rhizomatous, often with thick tuberous
roots.
Family: Paeoniaceae
Height/Spread: Growing to 6ft
Common Name: Peony
Leaves: Alternate, often
pinnate, large, compound.
Flower:
Solitary
to many terminal flowers. From 2" to 10" across, 5-10
petals, purple, red, pink, yellow or white. Many are perfumed.
Conditions: Sun
to part shade. Prefers alkaline, well drained, sandy-clay soil.
Heavy feeders needing fertilizing and/or annual manure or compost.
Bloom Period:
Spring and early summer.
Natural Range:
Europe, temperate Asia, N.W. America, China.
Hardiness:
USDA zones 5-6. Will thrive in a wide range of climates, provided
you have low winter temperatures.
Location: Perennial Border. |
