Description
Growth & Care
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zone | 4a |
| Soil Preference | Rich |
| Recommended Pruning Method | Cut Back In Fall |
Size & Shape
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Plant Form | Round |
Additional Categories
| Additional Category | Peony |
Foliage
| Foliage Type | Deciduous |
Flowers
| Flower Color | Coral |
| Flower Period | In Late Spring |
| Flower Fragrance | Medium |
| Suitable for Cut Flower Arrangements | Yes |
Landscape Attributes
Hillary Peony is an herbaceous perennial with a more or less rounded form. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration,
Disease
Hillary Peony is recommended for the following landscape applications,
Mass Planting, General Garden Use
Ornamental Features
Hillary Peony features bold lightly-scented coral-pink flowers with pink overtones and a buttery yellow flare at the ends of the stems in late spring. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its compound leaves remain dark green in color throughout the season.
Planting & Growing
Hillary Peony will grow to be about 28 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 32 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 30 inches apart. The flower stalks can be weak and so it may require staking in exposed sites or excessively rich soils. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. To help this plant achive its best flowering performance, periodically apply a flower-boosting fertilizer from early spring through into the active growing season. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division, however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Negatives: Disease
