This is lovely hardy perennial with its showy bold blooms has been in cultivation for many centuries and is a traditional plant for your English Garden.
It is thought to have got its name from the Greek physician Paeon, who was the first person to use parts of the plant medicinally.
In days of old it was used to ease the pains of childbirth, to cure falling sickness, prevent nightmares and to drive away evil spirits!
Cultivation
Peonies like rich fertile but well-drained soil, and prefer a sunny spot. They will grow in light shade and need watering in dry spells.
When planting the top of the crown should be no more than 2 inches or 5 cms below the soil surface.the most common reason that peonies fail to flower is that they have been planted too deeply.
If you are planting a group of peonies allow about 30 ins or 75 cms between the plants.
If your garden is at high altitude or in a very exposed and windy area,then you will need to stake the taller varities.n fact if as in England it starts to rain as soon as the peonies start to bloom you would do well to stake them all. The stakes can then hold a piece of plastic to make a rain umbrella for your precious blooms!
It can take up to two or three years before peonies become established and flower. Be warned that they dislike being moved – so make sure you choose the right spot to plant them in. Once established they bear beautiful flowers in late spring to early summer.
Paeonia officinalis grows to 2ft or 60 cm. Originally it was just a single whitish purpley bloom but during the seventeenth century double forms in pure whites and pinks were introduced.
Today there are many varieties of peonies – single and double forms in whites, pinks, reds and yellow.
They look lovely when planted in big clumps in your English Garden borders and go well with lily of the valley or honesty.
As a cut flower they are quite wonderful and dramatic but remember to keep them out of the sun.
Try Paeonia officinalis China Rose – a single deep pink or
Paeonia officinalisRubra Plena - a double red.
Not much space? then don't despair - peonies can be grown very successfully in pots.
Use a pot at least 12 inches or 30 cms diameter and make sure that it has good drainage holes in the base.
Use a soil based compost or a mixture of peat or coir and loam. Peonies will not grow well in a soiless or loamless compost.
Place your container in a sunny spoy and - very important - Remember to water regularly so that the compost is neither soaking wet or too dry
Enjoy your garden!
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