Paeonia lobata Sunshine

Paeonia lobata 'Sunshine', rarely cultivated, is undoubtedly the best of the varieties derived from botanical species. This perennial of beautiful stature produces single and globular flowers, sparkling, of a rare and brilliant red, a light redcurrant hue nuanced with orange, further enhanced by a large heart of golden stamens visible when fully open. Tall, dynamic, and luminous, this flowering does not go unnoticed in the garden, and constitutes a very beautiful background for a large rock garden or a raised bed.

Paeonia lobata (synonym peregrina) is a perennial herbaceous plant with fleshy rhizomes, native to the mountains of Western Asia (central Turkey) and Southern Europe (Balkans, Italy, southern Romania), where it grows in clear forests, up to 1500m (4921ft) altitude. It belongs to the family of Ranunculaceae or Paeoniaceae. It is a relatively hardy plant in well-drained soil, especially when protected by a snowy mantle.

The cultivar 'Sunshine' distinguishes itself with larger development, slightly less cut foliage, earlier flowering, and the colour of its flowers. The growth of this perennial is quite slow during the first years, the plant forming in the end a bushy clump of 80 to 90 cm (32 to 35in) in all directions. Its sticky stems bear leaves divided into leaflets, 5 to 12 cm (2 to 5in) long, shiny green on the top, duller and more bluish on the underside. The flowers, in the shape of a simple and globular cup, appear in April-May at the tips of the stems. They measure 10 cm (4in) in diameter and are composed of shiny petals like ray florets, light red with orange reflections, surrounding a large heart of golden stamens. This flowering is followed by the formation of black, round, and smooth seeds, which germinate after exposure to cold.  

Peonies are among those plants that form the foundations of a garden. Not so long ago every garden, from the humblest to the most elaborate, proudly displayed clumps covered with fragrant peony flowers in spring, which made their way into the house to accompany lilacs and bluebells in bouquets. Brilliant and wild, the Sunshine peony settles in well-drained beds, in the background of a fresh rock garden or along a border, associated with timeless perennials such as columbines, bellflowers, irises, sweet alyssum, carnations, foxgloves, or even Christmas roses. Only pot cultivation is not recommended, as its needs will not be met. Over time, the peony becomes majestic, multiplies, and blooms more and more abundantly.