Paeonia x lactiflora Lancaster Imperial - Chinese Peony

The Paeonia lactiflora 'Lancaster Imperial' is a compact, floriferous, and fragrant herbaceous peony, ideal for border ornamentation and cut flowers. Its creamy white flowers are double, medium-sized, and of the "bomb" type, with a corolla of petals surrounding a tightly packed "pompon" of petaloids. The plant develops sturdy and robust stems bearing a terminal bud and secondary buds, ensuring a long flowering period. This beautiful variety blooms in the middle of the peony season.

Herbaceous and hybrid peonies are mainly derived from Paeonia lactiflora, a perennial 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 now belongs to the peony family. Its deciduous foliage emerges in spring and disappears in autumn. It grows from a large, fleshy root that does not appreciate being moved.

The Paeonia lactiflora 'Lancaster Imperial' is a cultivar that was registered by Klehm (USA) in 1987. It is a mid-season variety characterised by double flowers, measuring 13-14 cm in diameter, in the form of a "pompon," a light creamy white with occasional traces of red on some small central petals. The outer petals, wide and flat, form a beautiful collar around the inner petaloids, giving the flower a uniform appearance. The flowers are borne on strong, upright stems, ideal for bouquets. The plant reaches a height of 60 to 65 cm and a similar width, with slightly shiny dark green foliage. The flowering period extends from the end of May to June 15, depending on the climate. It emits a sweet, soft, and pleasant fragrance. All vegetation disappears in winter, while the buds persist at ground level, developing in spring.

The Paeonia lactiflora 'Lancaster Imperial', being relatively low, is particularly suitable for border ornamentation. This pastel-coloured peony blends easily with all garden flowers and allows for the creation of bouquets suitable for special occasions, for example, with white roses and calla lilies. It can be planted with all large-flowered bush roses, garden irises (Iris germanica), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'), lupins, and wild delphiniums, for example. It also pairs remarkably well with red peonies and common lady's mantle.

Peonies are part of those perennials that form the foundation of a garden. In the past, every garden, from the humblest to the most elaborate, proudly displayed clumps of flowers in spring that made their way into the house, accompanying lilac and bluebell bouquets. The peony also adds to the flower reserve for bouquets in the vegetable garden. Cultivating it in a pot is not recommended, as its needs will not be satisfied. Over time, the plant becomes majestic and blooms more abundantly, producing up to 60 flowers.