Paeony / Peony

Paeonia lactiflora Adolphe Rousseau

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: fertile, moisture-retentive yet well-drained
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: June to July
• Flower colour: red
• Other features: red mottled stems
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Fragrant, intense, red semi-double or double flowers from early to mid summer and dark green leaves. This lovely, long lived, late flowering peony is perfect for a border in full sun or partial shade. The foliage provides interest from early spring, when the red mottled stems first emerge from the ground.
  
  
• Garden care: Deadhead after flowering. In early spring apply a top-dressing of a balanced slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant and mulch well with well rotted garden compost or manure. The older stems of tree peonies have a tendency to become brittle and snap so cut these back to the ground in autumn every two or three years.