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Alexander Fleming Garden Peony

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bare-root plants
Paeonia lactiflora

Among the hotter pink peonies. Fully double flowers have intense fragrance and very pink petals that lighten toward the edges. Blossoms on strong stems are nestled among and above the vibrant forest-green foliage, provide a fetching color contrast. Multiple side buds bloom over a long season. Bred in 1950 as a cross between Sarah Bernhardt and Bunker Hill, and named for the Scottish microbiologist who discovered Penicillin.

28–30" tall. Midseason blooms, Z3–8.2–3 eyes.
ships in fall

6630 Alexander Fleming

A: 1 ea
$13.50
B: 3 ea
$34.00
Shipping

Items from our perennial plants warehouse will ship around September 30 through October. Bulbs can be planted successfully up until your ground freezes.

Note to Alaska and far north customers: We cannot guarantee an early shipment, so please plan accordingly and order early.

We cannot accommodate specific ship date requests or guarantee your order will arrive by a certain day.

Additional Information

Garden Peonies

Reliable, long-lived hardy herbaceous perennial native from Tibet to Siberia. The red to forest-green shoots appear in mid-spring and form a bushy clump of lustrous dark green deeply lobed foliage that makes a lovely hedge or backdrop to the flower garden.

Big spherical buds on sturdy stems gradually open from late spring to early summer, transforming into huge stunning blooms. Peonies require support to keep the heavy blossoms from flopping. For long-lasting cutflowers, harvest when buds are soft like marshmallows but not quite open.

Ants on peony buds are normal, so leave them alone. While the ants collect sticky nectar, they also protect the peonies against insect pests. Before you bring cuts indoors, dunk them in a bucket of water to rinse off the ants.

Plants may take 3–5 years to establish before blooming, and are sensitive to disturbance during that time. Wait several years until the plants have many stems (therefore many eyes) before dividing.

Growing Garden Peonies

Please open your order immediately and check that the roots are firm and pliable, neither soft nor brittle. Plant promptly!

  • Peonies prefer full sun to part shade, and rich fertile well-drained soil.
  • Transplant with plenty of compost. If you have it, sprinkle in bone meal and/or Azomite.
  • Space plants 2–3' apart with the eyes no more than 1½" below the soil.
  • Some peonies require support to prevent heavy flowers from flopping during wet weather.
  • Autumn plant care: Cut back to just above ground level to allow a fresh start in spring. Amend soil with compost around the base of the plant. Spread mulch over the area to protect the overwintering roots from frost heaves.