Award-winning Paeonia collection
paeony or peony
Delivery options
- Bulbs (only) £4.95
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
Buy the collection of 2 Paeonia bare root plants (1 of each variety) for £16.95 or buy 2 collections for £33.90 and get another collection FREE.- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: fertile, moisture-retentive yet well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: June to July
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Peonies are loved for their bold, dissected foliage and extremely beautiful, showy flowers, which are ideal for adding colour to mixed, herbaceous or shrub borders in spring and summer. Originating from woodland clearings, grassland and meadows, the tuberous roots of the herbaceous forms act as storage tissue, which allows the mature plants to become drought tolerant once established. They will thrive in deep fertile soils that are moist but well drained, and although tolerant of some light shade, they perform best in full sun. Long-lived clump-forming perennials, they can resent being moved, although this can usually be done quite successfully if tackled in autumn. Some may require staking to support the weight of the flowers.
In each collection you will receive 2 Paeonia bare root plants - 1 of each of the following varieties:
- Paeonia 'Sarah Bernhardt':Scented, rose pink flowers with ruffled inner petals crown this robust plant in early summer. The fully double flowers are very large and heavy, so the plants will ideally need supports that can be adjusted as the plants grow. The flowers are considered one of the best for cutting. Grows to 1m.
- Paeonia 'Coral Charm':Opulent, coral pink semi-double flowers top the slender stems of this herbaceous peony from early to mid-summer. The large, showy flowers will create a fabulous feature in the border, and make spectacular additions to a vase. Absolutely superb, the flowers need to be seen to be believed! Grows to 85cm.
Bare root plants should either be potted up or planted out as soon as possible while avoiding frosty or waterlogged conditions. Plant all peonies into well-prepared soil, making sure that the highest bud on the crown is no deeper than 5cm (2in) below the soil surface. In growth, keep well fed and watered, and remove spent flowers after they have faded. In each subsequent spring, apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser around the base of the plant and mulch with well-rotted compost or manure.
- Pets: Skin irritant