Peony, Duchesse de Nemours

Paeonia lactiflora 'Duchesse de Nemours'

Height: 30-36in
Spread: 30-36in
Zone: 3-8
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Bloom Time/Color: May; white/cream
Uses: Massing, borders, hedges
Maintenance: Low
Other: Fall color, fragrant, cut flower, rabbit/deer resistant

Peonies are a garden staple for northern gardeners. Their attractive blooms and varied use as a cut flower make them an important plant in the perennial border. 'Duchesse de Nemours' has large, creamy white, fragrant double blooms against attractive, glossy, dark green foliage. Leaves stay attractive throughout the growing season before turning shades of red and copper in the fall. Peonies do best in moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Plants benefit from a thick layer of mulch going into winter and side dressings of compost every couple years can help bloom production. Overall, peonies are a very carefree plant that will reward the gardener with fragrant blooms for decades.

**Photo courtesy of Spring Hill Nurseries**