peony

Paeonia lactiflora (Paeoniaceae) is an herbaceous perennial native to Tibet, China, and Siberia. It grows 1 to 2 feet tall, dying to the ground each winter and re-emerging in spring. The deeply divided, dark green foliage sets off large, fragrant flowers in white, pink, or crimson. Hundreds of cultivars exist spanning single, semi-double, double, and Japanese flower forms.

Common garden peony requires full sun and well-drained, fertile soil. Plants need winter chilling to bloom well. Support may be needed for heavy double-flowered cultivars. Peonies are long-lived and resent transplanting once established. Botrytis blight is the most common disease, favored by wet spring conditions. Hardy in Zones 3 to 8.