Paeonia (Peony)
Peonies are very long-lived and make excellent statement plants within a herbaceous border and are available in a wide variety of colours and some have a lovely fragrance.
Besides the traditional varieties, varying shades of coral have also been bred to enhance the colour palette, with a lot of hybridising work being done in America to create new and exciting varieties. As well as producing exquisite flowers, Peonies also offer superb autumn foliage colours in various shades of claret. When it comes to planting Peonies, planting depth is key, with the buds barely below soil level. Plant a Peony too deep and it will just produce lots of foliage, but will not flower. Peonies also like a good enriched soil and annual mulching to be at their best. Once established Peonies are very easy to care for and generally pest and trouble free. Most are fully hardy, although some (especially tree peonies) may be damaged by late spring frosts. They prefer sun but will tolerate a little shade, and rich, well-drained soil. Tall and very large flowered cultivars may require support. The most common Peonies are the herbaceous varieties which die down to soil level in the winter where they remain dormant in the soil, before reappearing each year in spring. Tree Peonies form large free-standing shrubs and are available in a good choice of flower colours including shades of yellow, red, white and pink. Tree Peonies prefer a sheltered position and the most important thing to remember is to not over water them.
Besides the traditional varieties, varying shades of coral have also been bred to enhance the colour palette, with a lot of hybridising work being done in America to create new and exciting varieties. As well as producing exquisite flowers, Peonies also offer superb autumn foliage colours in various shades of claret. When it comes to planting Peonies, planting depth is key, with the buds barely below soil level. Plant a Peony too deep and it will just produce lots of foliage, but will not flower. Peonies also like a good enriched soil and annual mulching to be at their best. Once established Peonies are very easy to care for and generally pest and trouble free. Most are fully hardy, although some (especially tree peonies) may be damaged by late spring frosts. They prefer sun but will tolerate a little shade, and rich, well-drained soil. Tall and very large flowered cultivars may require support. The most common Peonies are the herbaceous varieties which die down to soil level in the winter where they remain dormant in the soil, before reappearing each year in spring. Tree Peonies form large free-standing shrubs and are available in a good choice of flower colours including shades of yellow, red, white and pink. Tree Peonies prefer a sheltered position and the most important thing to remember is to not over water them.