Paeonia lactiflora Peter Brand

Very large, brimming with petals of a bright cherry red, the slightly fragrant and somewhat disordered flower of this large Peter Brand Peony is incomparable in bouquets. It appears in May-June, above dark green foliage. Easy to grow, the Paeonia lactiflora, also known as Chinese Peonies, thrive in any loose and rather moist soil, in the sun. Robust and faithful, they sometimes take a little time to settle, but they grow year after year and can live well over 50 years, even surviving the one who planted them.

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 family of Ranunculaceae or Paeoniaceae.

The Peter Brand variety forms a herbaceous and bushy clump from spring onwards that can reach 80 cm (32in) in all directions. Its large flowers, 12 to 15 cm (5 to 6in) in diameter, very double, appear in May-June, earlier or later depending on the climate, for about two weeks. They are born as a big burgundy bud, then bloom into a skillfully disordered pompom. Their colour is a very deep medium red, with cherry tints accentuated by the texture of the petals, very shiny. The growth of this variety is average. The young foliage, purple and shiny, unfolds into large, dark green, deeply cut leaves. They are carried 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 persist at ground level and will develop again 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 Peter Brand thrives 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.