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Paeonia lactiflora (Common garden peony)

Paeonia lactiflora Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima' Photo/Illustration: Jennifer Benner



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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Paeonia lactiflora pay-OH-nee-ah lak-tih-FLOOR-ah Common Name: Common garden peony Synonyms: P. albiflora, P. japonica Genus: Paeonia
This stunning herbaceous woodland peony has upright red-mottled stems and dark green leaves that are elliptic or lance-shaped with rough margins. It bears usually solitary, single creamy white to pale pink blossoms that are cup-shaped and elegant. The blooms measure 3 to 4 inches across and have pale yellow stamens. Like all peonies, the flowers are with us for too short a time. They are followed by beautiful seedpods.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Use in mixed, herbaceous, or shrub borders. Peonies are very long-lived.
 Care: Provide deep, fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. Large cultivars may need support.
 Propagation: Divide in early autumn and replant, placing the new growths 2 inches below the surface; take root cuttings in winter.
 Problems: Prone to ringspot virus, Verticillium wilt, Botrytis blight, tip blight, leaf blotch, stem rot, Japanese beetles, and nematodes.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Habit Clumps
Light Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture Medium Moisture
Characteristics Fragrant Flowers; Showy Flowers
Bloom Time Early Summer; Late Spring; Spring; Summer
Flower Color Pink Flower; White Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Cut Flower
Style Cottage Garden
Seasonal Interest Spring Interest, Summer Interest
Type Perennials

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