Paeonia peregrina lactiflora Blaze

Paeonia lactiflora Blaze is a hybrid herbaceous peony characterised by excellent vigour, generous and rather early flowering, and brilliantly coloured flowers. Its shining blooms, in partially open cups, resemble those of wild peonies, irresistibly attracting attention in sunny borders. They bloom in spring on a beautiful clump of lush green foliage, remaining healthy for about ten days.

The Blaze Peony is a horticultural hybrid obtained by Orville Fay and registered in the USA in 1973. This variety is the result of a cross-breeding of the hybrid cultivar Bravura with itself. It possesses, among others, the genes of the botanical peonies Paeonia lactiflora and P. peregrina. All these perennials belong to the family of Paeoniaceae. The foliage of the 'Blaze' peony emerges from the ground in early spring. The leaves are medium-sized, palmate in shape (with secondary veins fanning out from the base of the lamina), and divided into fairly narrow segments of a beautiful lush green colour. They form a large rounded clump, reaching a height of 75-80 cm (30-32in) and a width of 80 cm (32in). Flowering takes place between May and June. The plant produces numerous flowers carried on rather thin but sturdy stems, reaching a height of 90-95 cm (35-37in), which do not require staking. Each flower, with a diameter of 14 cm (6in), consists of 2 or 3 rows of round and upturned petals forming a 'cup' around a centre filled with golden stamens. The petals are silky and shiny in texture, and their colour is a very pure red.

The Blaze peony can be planted in large flowerbeds and borders as well as on its own. It pairs well with both perennials and grasses, and it makes excellent cut  flowers. In the garden, combine this intensely red variety with white or blue flowers: columbines, bellflowers, garden irises, catmints, forget-me-nots. Herbaceous peonies remind us of the simple charm of our grandparents' gardens, where they were often present.

Our bouquet tip: Cut your peonies at dawn, when the buds begin to colour.