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Herbaceous Perennial

Paeonia daurica
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

A clump-forming herbaceous perennial to around 75cm high, with leaves divided into nine broadly oval, mid green leaflets with rounded tips and often wavy edges. In late spring and early summer, cup-shaped single flowers are produced at the tips of the stems, with red, pink or occasionally white petals, and purple filaments in the centre

Synonyms
Paeonia triternata
Paeonia mascula subsp. triternata
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Sand
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Red Pink White Green
Summer Red Pink White 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. Flowers may need support, see staking perennials. 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
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • 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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