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Paeonia lactiflora Athens (Patio Peony Series) - Dwarf Peony

Paeonia x lactiflora Athens
Chinese Peony, Herbaceous Peony

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A compact, very early, floriferous variety, ideal for small gardens and container cultivation. It produces large semi-double bright pink flowers with golden centres in spring, borne on sturdy stems that require no staking. This peony forms a bushy clump reaching 70-75 cm in height with a 40 cm spread. This hardy variety thrives in sun or partial shade in rich, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Once established, it will flower faithfully each year.
Flower size
13 cm
Height at maturity
70 cm
Spread at maturity
40 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -20.5°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time October to November
Recommended planting time February to May, September to November
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Description

Patio Peony 'Athens' is a charming, very early dwarf variety, perfect for brightening up small spaces such as terraces, balconies, or flower borders. It produces large semi-double flowers in a vibrant pink with a golden centre against deeply cut, dark green foliage. This compact and bushy peony is ideal for growing in pots or planters, but it also adapts well to open ground. Very floriferous in spring, this hardy perennial is easy to grow and returns year after year.

Patio Peony 'Athens' belongs to the Paeoniaceae family, like all peonies. This cultivar is derived from Paeonia lactiflora, also known as the Chinese peony or herbaceous peony. The 'Athens' cultivar is a horticultural achievement from the Patio Peony series, hybrids with a naturally compact habit, particularly suited to container growing. The plants have reduced growth, typically under 80 cm, and sturdy stems that support the flowers without staking. They retain the typical ornamental characteristics of classic peonies: large, highly decorative, often fragrant flowers, and excellent hardiness. These peonies are the result of relatively recent horticultural work aimed at making this emblematic plant accessible to a wider audience, especially in urban environments.
Patio Peony 'Athens' has a bushy, dense, and rounded habit, reaching a height of 70 to 80 cm and a spread of 50-60 cm, developing into compact clumps from a fleshy rhizome. The shiny, dark green, deciduous leaves are deeply lobed, alternate and measure between 20 and 30 cm long. The flowers are semi-double to double, 12 to 15 cm wide, of an intense, bright pink, well open to reveal a golden centre composed of prominent stamens. They emit a soft and pleasant fragrance. Flowering occurs early in the peony season, in May.

The 'Athens' Peony, with its modest stature and spring brilliance, fits perfectly in smaller settings: on a patio, a balcony, or in a small cottage garden. In a pot on a sunny terrace or in a perennial border, it creates a soft, luminous focal point. You can pair it with small groundcover plants like aubrieta or rock and wall bellflowers, both in the garden and in containers. Stage it next to pots of Double Asiatic Lily 'Elodie', for example.

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Peonies: planting, pruning and care
Family sheet
by Eva 15 min.
Peonies: planting, pruning and care
Read article

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time May
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 13 cm
Fragrance slightly scented,

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour dark green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 70 cm
Spread at maturity 40 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Paeonia

Species

x lactiflora

Cultivar

Athens

Family

Paeoniaceae

Other common names

Chinese Peony, Herbaceous Peony

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference • 24365

Planting and care

Patio Peony 'Athens', like all peonies, dislikes being moved, so careful consideration must be given to its planting location. It can be grown in containers or in open ground. The best time to plant is spring or autumn. Plant the crowns in full sun or bright exposure, in deep, well-loosened soil, and most importantly, properly drained. They require space and dislike competition from other species. Prepare a hole 50 x 50 x 50 cm, add a thin layer of sand or gravel at the bottom to drain the roots, mix organic fertiliser into your soil, partially backfill, position your young plants and cover with 6 cm of soil above the eyes. After planting, firm down and water thoroughly. Once established, this peony requires no watering in summer in most regions, as it enters dormancy. In hot climates and particularly dry summers, however, a thorough watering every fortnight will be appreciated.

Planting period

Best planting time October to November
Recommended planting time February to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Edge of border, Small gardens, Container
Hardiness Hardy down to -20.5°C (USDA zone 6b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Deep, rich, well-draining.

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

Planting & care advice

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