Classic herbaceous perennial peonies are not really suitable for growing in containers. After all, the popular classic ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ reaches 95cm/38in in height and while peonies of this height are ideal in perennial and mixed borders - although they usually need staking - they’re just not manageable in containers.
Rome.jpg "Patio peonies 'Madrid' (top) and 'Rome'")
This new series of double flowered patio peonies has been specially developed to mature and flower prolifically on much shorter pants and also to grow well in containers.
They have compact, self supporting, noticeably upright stems so should also be excellent as cut flowers – the flowers of so many other double peonies are too heavy for their stems and weigh them down so they ruin your arrangements.
The first three of these new patio peonies, all named for European cities, are now available. ‘London’ (left, top), at 55cm (22in) , is the shortest and is a vivid pinkish red in colour; ‘Rome’ (left, below) is just a little taller at 60cm (2ft) and is a much softer pink, opening darker and maturing to rose pink; ‘Madrid’ (below) is the tallest at 80cm (31in) and is an anemone-centred white, the white petals surround a creamier centre.
Plants are supplied bare root, so need to be ordered as soon as possible and planted as soon as they’re received. Be sure to plant so that that pinkish buds at the top of the crown are not more than 5cm/2in below the surface of the compost. If you prefer, you can plant them in individual pots and move them into containers in the spring.
You can order each variety from Suttons and Dobies
** Please note the contents of this blog reflect the views of its author and are not necessarily those of the RHS **
