Paeonia x lactiflora Vogue - Chinese Peony

The Peony or Paeonia lactiflora 'Vogue' is one of those old varieties that defies the trends and whims of time. Its pearly shell-toned flowers are huge, well double, and pleasantly fragrant. The plant is vigorous and reliably blooms in the garden, providing unmatched flowers to decorate the house. It blooms relatively late, 'Vogue' opens at the same time as the most beautiful roses. It thrives in any rich and relatively moist soil, in full sun.

The herbaceous and hybrid peonies are mainly derived from Paeonia lactiflora, a perennial plant native to central and eastern Asia (from eastern Tibet and northern China to eastern Siberia), where it naturally grows in woods and meadows. This plant now belongs to the peony family. Its deciduous foliage emerges in spring and disappears in autumn. It grows from a large fleshy root that does not appreciate being moved.

The Paeonia lactiflora 'Vogue' was obtained by Hoogendoorn in the Netherlands in 1949. It grows slowly, reaching a height of 1m or more at maturity. It has a bushy habit, with sturdy stems, but they may require staking during flowering due to the weight of the flowers. The flowers of the 'Vogue' peony are double, quite flat, and can measure up to 30-35cm in diameter. They open in a shell pink that gradually evolves into pure white, with smaller inner petals displaying silver reflections and a carmine border. A few yellow stamens can be observed in the centre of the flower. This peony blooms between late May and June, depending on the climate, for about two weeks. The foliage is a bright green, providing a beautiful backdrop for the flowering. The leaves are deeply cut and remain attractive throughout the season.

Elegant and fragrant, the Paeonia lactiflora 'Vogue' can be planted in a flower bed or along a pathway, paired with red peonies like 'Command Performance' or with cluster-flowered shrub roses. When in bloom, this beautiful plant creates a focal point in any garden. It can be combined with lupins, catmints, or bearded irises, for example. All these plants will bloom successively, creating a colourful and textured display.

Peonies are the backbone of a garden. In the past, everyone, from the most modest to the most sophisticated, displayed clumps of peonies covered in flowers in spring. They made their way into the house, keeping company in every bouquet with lilac and bluebells. The peony will also increase the flower reserve for bouquets in the vegetable garden. Only potted cultivation is not recommended, as its needs will not be met. Over time, the peony becomes majestic and blooms more abundantly, producing up to 60 flowers. By combining different varieties with staggered bloom times, it is possible to have flowers for 6 weeks from spring to early summer.