Paeonia × lemoinei 'Alice Harding' (S)
A compact deciduous shrub, to around 80cm high, with lobed and divided, ruffled deep green leaves. Produces large, lightly scented, golden yellow double flowers in early summer
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Yellow | Green | ||
Autumn | Green | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Paeoniaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched, Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Pets (dogs, cats): Skin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- 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
Accepted
- Horticultural Group
- Shrubby peonies are sparsely branched deciduous shrubs leaves divided into several finger-like lobes, and bowl-shaped flowers in late spring or early summer
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in deep, fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Choose an open position but with shelter from cold, drying winds. For more detailed advice, see tree peony cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer, or by grafting in winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
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
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.