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Paeonia officinalis Mollis

Paeonia officinalis Mollis
Common Peony, Garden Peony

4,8/5
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The young plant has taken very well, very vigorous.

Catherine, 29/10/2024

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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

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Value-for-money
This variety of deciduous Paeonia officinalis forms a clump of 40-50 cm (16-20in). Its particularly ornamental foliage, green tinged with purple, serves as a setting for beautiful single flowers in the shape of a calyx, a true bright pink without any trace of blue, opening up to a heart of deep yellow stamens. Flowering in late May to June, or even July. This perennial plant thrives in the sun or partial shade, in limestone, fertile, loose, and moist soil.
Flower size
8 cm
Height at maturity
45 cm
Spread at maturity
45 cm
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -20°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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Flowering time June to July
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Description

Paeonia officinalis Mollis is a form of common peony officially absent or extinct in its natural state, but surviving in enlightened amateur gardens for decades. This pretty garden and rockery perennial forms a clump of modest size, and has deciduous foliage that is particularly ornamental, green tinged with purple. It serves as a backdrop for rather late flowering that takes place in early summer, in the form of beautiful single flowers in the shape of a calyx, of true bright pink without any trace of blue, opening to reveal a bright heart of yellow stamens. This peony thrives in full sun or partial shade, in a limestone, fertile, loose and moist soil. 

Paeonia officinalis is native to central and southern Europe. In parts of Europe this plant is protected, and its collection is prohibited and subject to criminal penalties. Like all peonies, it belongs to the Ranunculaceae family (now Paeoniaceae). There are several subspecies of Paeonia officinalis, including the Mollis form, which is small in size and has very bright pink flowers.

This is a perennial herbaceous plant with fleshy rhizomes, very hardy. Its growth is slow during the first few years, eventually forming a bushy clump about 40-50 cm (16-20in) in all directions. Its stems bear leaves cut into deeply divided leaflets with entire, pointed, lanceolate segments. The slightly satin lamina is often tinged with purple, and grey and pubescent on the underside. The flowering only lasts for a week or two, usually in early June or in July, depending on the climate. The flowers, in the shape of simple cups, solitary, appear at the tips of the stems. They are composed of satiny petals of a true and bright pink, and are centred around a prominent heart composed of dark yellow stamens. This flowering is followed by the formation of fuzzy, grey fruits containing 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 most modest to the most elaborate, proudly displayed clumps of peonies covered in fragrant flowers that made their way into the house, keeping company with purple lilacs and blue campanulas in bouquets. The Mollis peony, considered rare and precious, deserves a carefully chosen location, in full sun or partial shade and in well-drained soil. It can be planted in large borders, at the edge of a grove, or even in a large sheltered rockery away from the scorching sun (avoid west-facing exposures in hot climates). It can be associated with timeless perennials such as columbines, campanulas, foxgloves, carnations, or Christmas roses. Growing it in a pot is not recommended as its needs will not be met. Over time the peony becomes majestic, multiplies, and blooms more and more abundantly.

Properties:

Paeonia officinallis was already prized in the Middle Ages, where it featured in physic gardens. Its root was attributed with antiepileptic, antispasmodic, and narcotic properties. Modern science has demonstrated the presence of specific alkaloids with therapeutic purposes in this plant. It is worth noting that the first horticultural varieties created in the late sixteenth century are still cultivated in our gardens. 

Paeonia officinalis Mollis in pictures

Paeonia officinalis Mollis (Flowering) Flowering
Paeonia officinalis Mollis (Foliage) Foliage
Paeonia officinalis Mollis (Plant habit) Plant habit

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time June to July
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 8 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour dark green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 45 cm
Spread at maturity 45 cm
Growth rate slow

Botanical data

Genus

Paeonia

Species

officinalis

Cultivar

Mollis

Family

Ranunculaceae (Paeoniaceae)

Other common names

Common Peony, Garden Peony

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference844861

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Planting and care

The Mollis peony, like all peonies, does not like to be moved, so you have to think carefully about the right place to locate it. The best time to plant is in spring or autumn. Give the stumps a sunny or bright location and deep, well-loosened soil, making sure it is properly drained. Peonies need space and dislike competition from other species. Prepare a hole of 50 x 50 x 50 cm (20in), adding a thin layer of sand or gravel at the bottom to provide drainage around the roots. Mix an organic fertiliser into your soil, partially backfill, place your plants inside and cover with 6 cm (2in) of soil above the eyes. After planting, tamp down and water thoroughly. Once established, this peony completely dispenses with watering in summer in most regions, as it goes into dormancy. That said, in hot and particularly dry climates in summer, abundant watering every 15 days will be appreciated.

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Planting period

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

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Edge of border, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -20°C (USDA zone 6b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 3 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Deep, well-drained, loosened

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,8/5
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