Paeonia x lactiflora Madrid - Chinese Peony

The Peony 'Madrid' is a compact variety from the Patio Peony collection featuring large semi-double to double white flowers with a light fragrance. It flowers late, between late May and early June, on short, sturdy stems. Very stocky, this variety is perfectly suited to container growing or for ornating a border. Easy to care for, it adapts well to small gardens and urban patios. It also makes beautiful cut flowers.

The Peonia Patio Peony 'Madrid' is a herbaceous perennial belonging to the Paeoniaceae family. The Patio Peony peonies are hybrids with a naturally compact habit, particularly suited to container growing. The plants have a reduced growth, less than 80 cm, and robust stems that support the flowers without needing to stake. They nevertheless retain the typical ornamental characteristics of classic peonies: large, very decorative flowers, and excellent hardiness. These peonies are accessible to a wide audience, especially in urban settings.
With a bushy and rounded habit, the Patio 'Madrid' cultivar forms a clump of  50-60 cm in height with a spread of 30 to 50 cm. Mature size is reached at around 5 years of age. The late flowering occurs from May to July depending on the climate. It takes the form of large white, semi-double to double, more or less fragrant flowers of Japanese style (anemone-shaped). A whorl of petals 15 cm in diameter surrounds a large centre of creamy yellow petaloids. Borne on sturdy stems, these flowers are ideal for cutting. The foliage is formed of dark green, glossy and finely divided, decorative leaves even outside the flowering period. In autumn, the foliage turns yellow before disappearing for winter dormancy. The peony's root system consists of fleshy, tuberous roots that dislike being disturbed. The aerial growth emerges from the soil in early spring.

With its contained growth, the peony 'Madrid' naturally finds its place in intimate settings. In a pot on a balcony or at the edge of a small bed, it creates a soft focal point around which elegant harmonies can be arranged. It pairs wonderfully with late double tulips like ‘Mount Tacoma’; its white flowers will extend the delicacy of its colouring. To play with contrasts of form and texture, choose the large, crumpled corollas of the Oriental poppy ‘Royal Wedding’. And to extend the bed's flowering into summer, accompany it with small phlox ‘Fashionably Early Crystal’ for example.