Paeonia officinalis aka Cottage Peony

Paeonia officinalis, the common garden peony, belongs to the Paeoniaceae family. It is a leafy perennial native to Europe. Its range includes southern France, Italy, Spain, and northern Portugal. It also grows in parts of central Europe and the Balkans. Wild plants grow in rocky woods and meadows, often on limestone. The species is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This peony forms a compact, bushy plant with upright growth. Garden plants reach about 1.6–3.3 feet (0.5–1 metre) tall and wide. The RHS description gives a height near 2.3 feet (0.7 metres). Plants take two to five years to reach full size. The dark green leaves divide into oval segments. They die back in autumn, leaving no lasting leafy framework. The leaves provide a green backdrop for the large flowers.

The flowers open in late spring or early summer. Each single flower forms a cup with a light scent. The RHS describes reddish-purple blooms up to 0.4 feet (0.12 metres) across. Plants For A Future also lists red and white flowers. The blooms suit beds, borders, and informal cottage gardens. The RHS also suggests coastal gardens and small city gardens. Some plants may need support to hold their stems upright.

Choose a sheltered site with sun or some shade. Deep, fertile soil rich in humus gives the best conditions. Keep the soil moist, but allow excess water to drain. The plant accepts chalk, clay, loam, and sand. It also tolerates acid, neutral, and alkaline soil. The RHS rates it H6 for winter hardiness. This covers UK conditions down to about −20°C. Divide plants in autumn or early spring to raise more. Remove spent blooms, then cut back once the leaves die.

Leaf and bud eelworms can damage the plant. Swift moth larvae may attack below ground. Disease risks include viruses, honey fungus, and Verticillium wilt. Peony leaf blotch and peony wilt may also occur. Plants For A Future records cooked flowers and seeds as food uses. It gives the species a low edible-use rating. That source also warns that large doses of any part are poisonous. The RHS warns of skin irritation in dogs and cats. The roots have a long history of medicinal use. Such records do not establish safe home use.