Paeonia x lactiflora Neon

The Neon Peony lactiflora is a superb Japanese-type herbaceous peony that attracts particular attention. The flowers of this herbaceous peony are large, simple, and a bright praline pink with lavender undertones. The centre of the flower, resembling a large chrysanthemum, is occupied by a mixture of fine, pointed, and fringed petals and staminodes, in a lighter pink mixed with incandescent red and tipped with gold. The obvious beauty of the flowers is accompanied by a slight fragrance, and the plant, otherwise vigorous and floriferous, develops sturdy stems that do not require staking. 'Neon', as it is aptly named, undoubtedly offers one of the most brilliant flower displays in May. 

Herbaceous peonies are mainly derived from Paeonia lactiflora, a perennial herbaceous plant native to central and eastern Asia (from eastern Tibet, northern China, to eastern Siberia), where it naturally grows in woods and meadows. This plant belongs to the Ranunculaceae or Paeoniaceae family.

The 'Neon' variety was introduced to the USA in 1941 by Nicholls. The plant forms a sturdy herbaceous and bushy clump from spring, reaching 90 cm (35in) in all directions. Its large flowers appear in the middle of the peony season, in May, for about two weeks, each lasting 7 to 10 days. They emerge as a large fuchsia pink bud, then open into a corolla of wide rounded petals in an extremely bright lavender pink. In the centre of the flower some stamens are transformed into small, fringed petals, while others are sterile, lacking anthers. The petaloids are a soft pink, the staminodes almost red and bordered with golden yellow. The young foliage unfolds into large, deeply cut green leaves. They are carried on a petiole that divides into 3, with lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate segments. In this variety, the flowers are slightly but pleasantly scented. The leaflets are entire or sometimes lobed. They disappear in winter, while the buds persist at ground level and develop in spring. This very perennial plant grows from a large fleshy root that does not appreciate being moved.

Peonies are among those plants that form the foundation of a garden. In the past every garden, from the humblest to the most elaborate, proudly displayed clumps of peonies that made their way into the house, keeping  lilacs and bluebells company in bouquets. Opulent and generous, the Neon peony will settle in flowerbeds or alongside pathways, associated with timeless perennials such as columbines, bellflowers, foxgloves, bearded irises, carnations, or Christmas roses. It can also be grown in the vegetable garden to supply cut flowers for the house. Growing it in a pot is not recommended, as its needs will not be met. Over time, the peony becomes majestic and blooms more and more abundantly, producing up to 60 flowers.