Peony (Paeonia spp.)

 

Peony (Paeonia spp.)

Few red-blooming plants are as dramatic as red cultivars of hybrid peonies. The peonae genus includes more than 30 species of herbaceous perennials and shrubby plants. Peonies grown in garden cultivation are generally divided into hybrid types based on three species:

P. tenuifolia, the fern-leaf peony, has bright crimson flowers. It is a somewhat temperamental plant, but once established in a location it likes, it will thrive for many decades.

The very common hybrid herbaceous peonies based on P. lactiflora and other species are also very long-lived plants. Some good red hybrids include 'Red Charm', 'Jean Ericksen', 'Fairy Princess', and ‘Early Scout'.