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Herbaceous Perennial

Paeonia steveniana
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

A clump-forming herbaceous perennial to around 90cm high, with mid-green leaves divided into large, oval leaflets. Flowers in late spring, producing lightly scented, pale yellow flowers that fade to cream, with purple filaments in the centre. Flowers are distinctive in retaining a half-closed, globe shape until the petals drop

Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Yellow Cream Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Paeoniaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming, Bushy
Genus

Paeonia may be herbaceous perennials or deciduous sub-shrubs with large, divided leaves and showy large bowl-shaped flowers, usually in early summer

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, rich, well-drained soil, ideally in full sun but will tolerate light shade. Will not tolerate waterlogging. See herbaceous peony cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division, lifting and dividing established clumps in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Cut back to ground level in autumn, to remove dead foliage and reduce the risk of disease

Pests

May be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworm and swift moth caterpillar

Diseases

May be susceptible to a virus, honey fungus, Verticillium wilt, peony leaf blotch and peony wilt

Get involved

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