Paeonia lactiflora "Lady Anna"

• Type: Chinese peony (garden peony)
• Latin name: Paeonia lactiflora
• Cultivar: Lady Anna
• Flowering: from late June to July
• Light: sunny
• Winter hardiness: USDA 3–8 (fully hardy in Estonia)

Planting Plant in September or early spring in a sunny, sheltered spot with fertile, well-drained soil; dig a hole 50 cm deep and wide and mix in compost and sand. Most important: the buds (eyes) must sit only 3–5 cm below the soil surface – a peony planted too deep will not flower.

Watering In dry weather water rarely but deeply (about 10 L per plant), especially during budding and flowering; never let water stand. Mulch thinly around the roots, keeping mulch away from the buds.

Pruning In autumn after the first frosts cut all stems down close to the ground and clear the leaves from the bed to reduce the risk of grey mould (Botrytis). Do not compost diseased leaves. Remove faded flowers during the season.

Feeding and winter care Feed in spring as shoots emerge with a balanced fertiliser and again after flowering with a phosphorus- and potassium-rich fertiliser; too much nitrogen gives leaves instead of flowers. Flowers from late June to July. Established plants need no winter protection; young plants only need spruce branches or mulch in the first winter.