Paeonia tenuifolia Plena

Paeonia tenuifolia 'Plena' is a very beautiful double-flowered peony. This herbaceous plant of great beauty, nicknamed "fern leaf peony" in England, has very striking deciduous foliage, composed of thread-like segments narrower than those of the type species, as thin as hair. In the heart of April this very dense fennel-like foliage, of a dark green colour, truly enhances the scarlet pompom-shaped flowers. Its blooms are even more precious as they are very ephemeral. This variety, like the type species, goes dormant in summer, thus escaping the heat and drought.

Native to the steppes of southeastern Central Europe, the Caucasus, and the Balkan Peninsula, Paeonia tenuifolia sometimes grows in huge colonies, dotting prairies and limestone meadows with its incredible blood-red flowering that starts in April. This species is one of the earliest to flower in spring, taking advantage of still moist soil for reproduction before going dormant during the hot and dry season that characterises these steppe regions. It is a perfectly hardy plant, capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F) and dry summers. It belongs to the family of Ranunculaceae or Paeoniaceae.

The 'Plena' selection is a very double-flowered form of this wonderful peony, with even finer foliage. Its growth is slow during the first few years, after which the stump grows year after year and can even produce suckers. The plant eventually forms a bushy clump that reaches a minimum height of 40 cm (16in) and a width of 50-60 cm (20-24in). Very different from other peonies, it develops deciduous and bushy foliage, composed of numerous leaflets cut into very fine and elongated segments, with an intense green colour and a glossy appearance. The flowering takes place around April 15th, earlier or later depending on the climate. The solitary flowers measure 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) in diameter. They are globular, very double, and seem to float above the foliage. They are intensely red, iridescent, and remarkably bright. The centre of the flower is devoid of stamens but has a pistil.

Paeonia tenuifolia Plena adapts to most climates, but shows a preference for well-marked seasons and for calcareous and well-drained soils. It thrives in cool rockeries or at the edge of flowerbeds, preferably alone or in the company of small plants such as epimediums, moss phlox, allium karataviense or Omphalodes. The combination with small, blue, and wild flowers like some annual delphiniums, Amur river pinks, Brunnera, Anchusa, campanulas, or even Veronica prostrata is truly beautiful.