Paeonia lactiflora Lady Orchid

The Peony 'Lady Orchid' blooms like an old rose, in a carefully arranged pompom. Its double flowers, of a beautiful size, light pink with lavender highlights, often bloom in the middle or towards the end of the peony season, above a clump of vibrant green foliage that holds up well. Robust and faithful, herbaceous peonies sometimes take a little time to establish themselves, but they grow year after year and can live well over 50 years, even surviving the one who planted them.

Chinese herbaceous peonies are mainly derived from Paeonia lactiflora, a perennial herbaceous plant native to central and eastern Asia (from eastern Tibet, northern China, to eastern Siberia), where it naturally grows in woods and meadows. This plant belongs to the Ranunculaceae or Paeoniaceae family.

The Lady Orchid variety is a cultivar obtained in 1942 by Myron D. Bigger. The plant forms a bushy herbaceous clump from spring onwards, reaching 80 to 90 cm (32 to 35in) in all directions. Its large flowers, 12-14 cm (5-6in) in diameter, appear from the second half of May, earlier or later depending on the climate, and last for about two weeks. They are born as a large pink bud, then open up into a double and globular cup, with petals arranged in a concentric and regular manner, like cabbage roses. This variety is scentless. The young, purple and shiny foliage unfolds into large, vibrant green, deeply cut and firm leaves. 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 persist at ground level and will develop again in spring. This very perennial plant grows from a large fleshy root that does not appreciate being moved.

Peonies are among those plants that form the foundation 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. Fragrant and pure, the Chinese peony Lady Orchid can be planted in flowerbeds or alongside pathways, in combination with timeless perennials such as columbines, bellflowers, perennial delphiniums, 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. A bouquet composed of peonies, bellflowers, lilacs, and the old rose Buff Beauty will make a big impression in the house.