Paeonia lactiflora Gay Paree

Paeonia lactiflora Gay Paree is a very floriferous herbaceous peony, whose immense bicoloured and pleasantly scented anemone-type flower will undoubtedly create a sensation in bouquets: at the centre of a wide semi-double corolla of a bright and fresh fuchsia pink reigns a heart of rose-colored stamens, almost white and all ruffled. This variety illuminates flowerbeds in June and holds up excellently in a vase.

Chinese herbaceous peonies mainly come from Paeonia lactiflora, a perennial herbaceous plant native to central and eastern Asia (from eastern Tibet, northern China, to eastern Siberia), where it naturally grows in woods and meadows. This plant belongs to the family Ranunculaceae or Paeoniaceae.

The Gay Paree variety was obtained in Illinois (USA) by Edward Auten in 1933. The plant forms from spring a herbaceous and bushy clump that can reach a minimum height of 90 cm (35in) and a width of 50 cm (20in). Its large slightly scented flowers with a diameter of 12-15 cm (5-6in) appear from early June to mid-June, depending on the climate, for two to three weeks. They emerge as a large dark pink bud at the end of very sturdy stems. The numerous stamens here are transformed into small, delicate, undulate petals, blending pale pink and cream white. They occupy the heart of the flower, forming a rounded pompom placed at the centre of a semi-double corolla of flattened and wider petals in a very pretty bright pink. The young purple and shiny foliage unfolds into large, deeply cut, bright green leaves. They are carried by a petiole that divides into 3, with lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate segments. The leaflets are entire or sometimes lobed. They disappear in winter, while the buds persist at ground level and will develop in spring. This long-lived perennial plant grows from a large fleshy root that does not appreciate being moved.

Peonies are among those plants that form the foundation of a garden. In the past every garden, from the humblest to the most elaborate, proudly displayed clumps of peonies that made their way into the house, keeping  lilacs and bluebells company in bouquets. Opulent and generous, the Chinese peony will settle in flowerbeds or alongside pathways, associated with timeless perennials such as columbines, bellflowers, foxgloves, bearded irises, carnations, or Christmas roses. It can also be grown in the vegetable garden to supply cut flowers for the house. Growing it in a pot is not recommended, as its needs will not be met. Over time, the peony becomes majestic and blooms more and more abundantly, producing up to 60 flowers.