Paeonia officinalis aka Cottage Peony

Taxonomy

Paeonia officinalis, commonly known as the common peony or garden peony, is a species of flowering plant in the family Paeoniaceae. Native to mountainous regions of Southern Europe, it has been introduced in Central and Western Europe as well as North America. Initially used for medicinal purposes, it is now primarily cultivated as an ornamental plant. While the typical species is rare, many horticultural selections have been developed. The cultivar 'Rubra Plena' has even received the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. This upright and bushy herbaceous perennial features attractive dark green foliage that turns red in spring. Its erect stems bear single, saucer-shaped rose-pink flowers with a tufted center of pink petaloids, emitting a delightful spicy fragrance. Although a rare houseplant, the common peony is not difficult to grow and requires regular watering to thrive. It thrives best in direct light, ideally positioned within one foot of a window. Well-draining soil is recommended, and regular repotting as the plant doubles in size eliminates the need for added fertilizers. Belonging to the Paeonia genus, this beautiful plant is native to Europe.

Common names

Cottage Peony, Common Peony, Wild Peony

How to care for Cottage Peony

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Cottage Peony is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Cottage Peony should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Cottage Peony loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Cottage Peony prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Fertilizer

The Cottage Peony is known for its slow growth and doesn't require fertilizing beyond its potting soil. Replacing the soil in its pot once a year should offer it sufficient nutrition. It's essential to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not from fertilizers.

Region of origin

Cottage Peony’s native range is Europe - France to Albania.


More info:
Wikipedia