Paeonia x lactiflora Mrs JV Edlund - Chinese Peony

The Paeonia lactiflora 'Mrs JV Edlund' is an extraordinary white peony, remarkable for its vigor, majesty, and fragrance. It is a beautiful plant that produces very large, fluffy flowers on lush foliage, and it is often the last herbaceous peony variety to bloom in the garden. It will thrive in any rich, slightly moist soil in full sun and will flower best in cool climates.

Chinese peonies are herbaceous perennial plants mainly derived from Paeonia lactiflora, a species native to central and eastern Asia (from eastern Tibet, northern China, to eastern Siberia). In nature, this peony grows in woods and meadows. This plant belongs to the peony family.

The Paeonia lactiflora 'Mrs JV Edlund' is an old creation by Franklin and Edlund (USA) dating back to 1929. This variety was awarded the gold medal by the American Peony Society in 1933. The plant forms a large herbaceous and bushy clump after a few years, reaching or slightly exceeding 1 m when in bloom. Its flowers, globular and double, 16 to 18 cm wide, appear at the end of June, for about two to three weeks. They emerge from a large, tender green bud. Each flower consists of multiple very white waxy petals, without any trace of another colour. In hot and dry weather, the buds open with difficulty and may even go over before opening. The growth of this variety is excellent, with long stems and beautiful dark green foliage. It will often be necessary to stake the flower-laden stems to prevent them from bending. It disappears in winter, while the buds that will develop in spring persist at ground level. This very perennial plant grows from a large, fleshy root that does not appreciate being moved.

Impressive in the garden, the 'Mrs JV Edlund' peony allows for the creation of sumptuous fragrant bouquets. Plant it in a flowerbed or along a pathway, preferably in full sun. Combine it with your English shrub roses and add some plants of Nepeta 'Kit Cat' to lighten the scene. In a white flowerbed, this peony will mingle with white bellflowers and some Phlox paniculata 'Famous White'. It will also increase the supply of flowers for bouquets in the vegetable garden. Cultivating 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.

Peonies are among those plants that form the foundation of a garden. In the past, every garden, from the most modest to the most elaborate, showcased clumps covered in flowers that made their way into the house, accompanying the lilacs, the Madonna lilies, and the bellflowers in each bouquet.