Peony

Reliable, long-lived hardy herbaceous perennials. The Paeonia lactiflora species, a medicinal in China, is native from Tibet to Siberia. Maroonish-red to forest green shoots appear in mid-spring, and form a bushy clump—about 3x3' when mature—of lustrous dark green deeply lobed foliage.

Fat spherical buds on sturdy stems above the foliage gradually open from late spring to early summer. Huge flowers are stunning on the bush and wonderful when cut. Ants on peony buds are normal, so leave them alone; if you’re trying to bring cuts indoors, dunk them in a bucket of water to rinse off the ants.

Plant 2–3' apart with eyes no more than 1–1½" below the surface in deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil, full sun to partial shade. These reliable, long-lived hardy herbaceous perennials may take 3–5 years to establish before blooming, and resent being disturbed during that time.

Planting Info for Perennials

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Descriptions and Codes

See also: bulb planting information and bulb planting charts.