Plant of the Month December 2024
GENERAL INFORMATION: These are long-lived perennials, planted more frequently in the past. One was in our garden when we moved in in 1973, probably planted about 1950. I did not know what it was and killed it by moving at the wrong time and by planting too deep.
Synonym: Paeonia hybrida, Paeonia carthalinica, Paeonia tenuifolia subsp. biebersteiniana.
Common Name: Fern leaf peony, steppe peony, narrow-leaved peony, fennel-leaved peony.
Paeonia tenuifolia, double.
Paeonia tenuifolia ‘Rosea'.
Cultivars: have single or double flowers, in pinks or reds. Leaves vary a little in their division. Some leaves are red flushed. Paeonia tenuifolia var. plena - double red, ‘Little Odin', - small, darker red, ‘Itoba’ - single pinkish red, Paeonia tenuifolia ‘Rosea', ’The Fawn’ pink double, Paeonia tenuifolia ‘Rosea Plena’, also double pink.
Life Cycle: Herbaceous perennial.
Height and width: 0.5 - 1m.
Bloom Time: Mid May in Toronto.
Paeonia tenuifolia, flower.
Flower Colour & Size: Cup-shaped crimson-red flowers, about 10 cm across. Numerous central yellow stamens.
Leaves: are alternate, compound, divided into narrow needle like leaflets, giving the plant a ferny or lacy appearance. Red flushed when young.
Paeonia tenuifolia, leaves.
Paeonia tenuifolia, early leaves.
Fruit: 2 or 3 hairy follicles, about 2 cm long. Black seeds, approx. 3x5 mm in size.
Paeonia tenuifolia, follicles.
Range: Native to Eastern Europe, the Caucasus Mountains, southern Russia and Kazakhstan.
Habitat: Grasslands, scrubland.
CULTIVATION:
Plant: with crown no more than 5 cm below surface.
Light: Part shade to full sun.
Soil: Most soils, humus rich, deep and well drained.
Water: Average, moist.
USDA Hardiness: Zones 3-9. Needs winter cold.
Fertilizer: Balanced fertilizer or compost when leaves start to grow.
Companion planting: Other rock garden plants., border perennials.
Paeonia tenuifolia in Rock Garden.
Propagation: Divide large clumps very carefully in early fall. From seed - Sow at 4°C for 3 months, then place @ 20°C for 3 months. It doesn't need a warm period first; radicle appears after cold/moist stratification.
Pest and Diseases: Usually disease resistant but may get phytophthora blight or botrytis blight in wet conditions or poorly drained soil. Remove old leaves in fall.
Native Alternatives: Paeonia brownii and Paeonia californica are not showy and are native to western North America. They are very difficult to grow.
Pollinators: Bees and butterflies on single flowered plants.
References:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/12184/paeonia-tenuifolia/details
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder
https://onrockgarden.com/index.php/germination-guide
Text and images supplied by Anna Leggatt (Toronto Master Gardener)