Paeonia lactiflora Immaculée

Paeonia lactiflora Immaculée is an infinitely refined herbaceous peony. Its flowers are large but light as a breath, white, slightly scented and beautifully formed. Each one has an almost double heart of fine, frizzy cream-white petals resting in the centre of a wide corolla of larger, rounded petals of pure white. The throat is beautifully enhanced with red stigmas at full bloom. This peony, with its almost 'Japanese' form, is very different and illuminates borders during the second half of May, and also performs very well in a vase.

Chinese herbaceous peonies are mainly derived 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 Ranunculaceae or Paeoniaceae family.

The Immaculée variety was obtained in Holland in 1953. From spring the plant forms a herbaceous and bushy clump that can reach 80 cm (32in) in all directions. Its large flowers, measuring 16 to 18 cm (6 to 7in) in diameter, appear in May, earlier or later depending on the climate, lasting for about two weeks. They emerge as a large white bud, then open up into a skillfully organised flower. The stamens are here transformed into small, fine, frizzy petals of a creamy white, slightly translucent. They occupy the heart of the flower, which is composed of large rounded petals arranged in a corolla. The female organs, called stigmas, are tinged with red in this peony. They are only visible when the flower is fully open. This variety tolerates some summer drought better than others. The young purple and shiny foliage unfolds into large, finely cut light green leaves. They are borne on 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 that will develop in spring persist at ground level. 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 thrive 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.