©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Peonies are showy
perennial flowers that will bloom in See more pictures of
perennial flowers. A collection of peonies in bloom presents a
view of exquisite, huge flowers in white, pink to rose, red,
lavender, and yellow. Those four to six inch flowers, double or
single, are the norm. Even when bloom has finished for the
summer, this perennial's foliage is attractive. Herbaceous
peonies, usually Paeonia lactiflora, include many excellent
cultivars and hybrids, old and new. Most peonies are shrubby
plants with thick roots and large, compound, glossy green leaves
on reddish stems. They bear large, many-petaled, showy flowers.
How to grow: Autumn planting is best; the peony prefers full sun
and good, well-drained, moisture-retentive soil rich with humus.
Plant with the "eyes" or growing points to the top about 1-1/2
inches below the soil surface. Mulch the first year to protect
from severe cold. Stake before blooms open. Deadhead after
flowering. Propagation: By division of