Paeonia lactiflora Bockstoce

The Henry Bockstoce Peony, obtained in the United States in 1955, remains one of the most accomplished red-flowered varieties. Endowed with numerous qualities, it stands out first and foremost for the beauty of its large semi-double flowers. Adorned with a brilliant blood-red colour, its semi-double corollas reveal a chiseled heart with hints of pink. They are also slightly fragrant and produced abundantly, in the middle of the peony season, at the end of very strong stems that do not require staking. Robust and faithful, this wonder sometimes takes a little time to establish itself, but it develops year after year and can live well over 50 years, even surviving the one who planted it.

Chinese herbaceous peonies mainly come from Paeonia lactiflora, a perennial herbaceous 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 belongs to the Ranunculaceae or Paeoniaceae family.

The Henry Bockstoce variety forms an herbaceous and bushy clump from spring onwards that can reach 95 cm (37in) in all directions. Its large flowers, 16 to 20 cm (6 to 8in) in diameter, appear in May-June, earlier or later depending on the climate, and last for about two weeks. They emerge as a large dark red bud, then open up into a regular cup shape, semi-double, reminiscent of certain old roses. Their colour is a very deep cardinal red, with magenta pink hints accentuated by the very shiny texture of the petals. The vegetation rate of this variety is medium. The young purple and shiny foliage unfolds into large, shiny dark green leaves, very deeply lobed. They are carried on a petiole that divides into 3, with lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate segments. The leaflets are entire or sometimes lobed. They disappear in winter, while the buds that will develop in spring persist at ground level. This long-lived perennial plant grows from a large fleshy root that does not appreciate being moved.

Peonies are among those plants that form the foundations of a garden. In the past every garden, from the humblest to the most elaborate, proudly displayed clumps of peonies that made their way into the house, keeping lilacs and bluebells company in bouquets. Opulent and generous, the Chinese peony Henry Bockstoce thrives in flowerbeds or alongside pathways, in combination with timeless perennials such as columbines, bellflowers, foxgloves, bearded irises, carnations, or Christmas roses. It can also be grown in the vegetable garden to supply cut flowers for the house. Growing it in a pot is not recommended, as its needs will not be met. Over time, the peony becomes majestic and blooms more and more abundantly, producing up to 60 flowers