SKU: 00840369422002 Paeonia lactiflora 'Primevère' BAREROOT

Plant Features & Growing Information

• Growth Habit: Upright, bushy, clump-forming herbaceous perennial. Produces new stems from an underground crown each spring and dies back completely during winter dormancy.

• Peony Type: Herbaceous Lactiflora Peony (Paeonia lactiflora).

• Mature Height: Approximately 30–36 inches tall.

• Mature Spread: Approximately 30–36 inches wide once established.

• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate during establishment, becoming more vigorous as the underground crown develops.

• Longevity: Exceptionally long-lived. Established peonies can remain productive in the same garden location for decades.

• Bloom Color: Creamy-white outer petals surrounding a contrasting center of soft canary-yellow petaloids that gradually fade to pale cream.

• Flower Form: Large, anemone-style blossoms featuring broad, cupped outer petals and a densely tufted center of narrow, modified petals. Sometimes classified among double-flowered peonies.

• Flower Size: Medium to large, with individual blossoms commonly reaching approximately 4–6 inches across under favorable conditions.

• Bloom Time: Midseason, generally late spring to early summer, commonly May to June depending on climate.

• Fragrance: Moderately fragrant, with a pleasant, delicate floral scent.

• Foliage: Attractive, deeply divided dark green leaves forming a substantial rounded mound.

• Spring Foliage: New shoots may emerge with reddish or bronze tones before turning green.

• Winter Habit: Herbaceous and deciduous. All above-ground growth dies back after frost while the underground crown remains dormant.

• Fruit Flavor: Not grown for edible fruit. Pollinated flowers may develop seed-containing follicles, but these have no recognized culinary fruit flavor.

• Culinary Uses: Not recommended for culinary use. Although certain peony species have historical food-related uses, Primevère is cultivated as an ornamental variety and should not be promoted as an edible flower or food crop.

• Medicinal Uses: Paeonia lactiflora has a long history of traditional herbal use, particularly preparations made from specifically processed roots. However, ornamental Primevère roots should not be used for homemade medicinal preparations, and traditional use does not establish safety or effectiveness for self-treatment.

• Possible Toxicity to Pets: Potentially toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested. Peonies contain paeonol, which can cause gastrointestinal irritation.

• Pet Toxicity Symptoms: Possible symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy or depression.

• Possible Toxicity to Humans: Not recommended for consumption. Ornamental peony roots, seeds, foliage, and flowers should not be eaten without authoritative guidance.

• Deer Resistance: Good. Deer generally avoid established peonies, although no plant is completely deer-proof.

• Rabbit Resistance: Good. Rabbits typically leave mature peonies alone.

• Pollinator Value: Flowers may attract bees and other insects, although the densely modified central petals can limit access to pollen compared with single-flowered peonies.

• Ants on Peonies: Ants are commonly attracted to sugary secretions around developing flower buds. They do not harm the plant and are not necessary for flowers to open.

• Pest Resistance: Generally good once established. Occasional pests may include thrips, scale insects, and nematodes.

• Disease Concerns: Potential diseases include Botrytis blight, peony leaf blotch, Verticillium wilt, and other fungal problems. Good airflow and proper garden sanitation help reduce disease pressure.

• USDA Planting Zones: Generally recommended for USDA Zones 3–8.

• Winter Chilling: Requires a period of cold winter dormancy for reliable flowering.

• Sun Preferences: Full sun is ideal, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

• Partial Shade: Tolerates light partial shade, particularly in warmer climates, but excessive shade can reduce flowering.

• Drought Tolerance: Moderate once established. Mature plants tolerate occasional dry periods but benefit from consistent moisture during spring growth and flowering.

• Water Requirements: Maintain moderate, consistent moisture during establishment and active spring growth. Avoid waterlogged soil.

• Soil Preferences: Prefers deep, fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil.

• Soil Adaptability: Can grow in clay, loam, and sandy soils when drainage is adequate.

• Support Requirements: Recommended. Primevère produces abundant flowers on stems that can bend under their weight, particularly after rain.

• Cut Flower Uses: Excellent. Its unusual creamy-white petals and pale yellow centers create beautiful, romantic bouquets.

• Landscape Uses: Ideal for cottage gardens, perennial borders, cutting gardens, specimen plantings, foundation beds, and traditional flower gardens.

When & How to Prune

• Spring: Allow healthy shoots to emerge and grow naturally. Routine spring pruning is unnecessary.

• During Flowering: Flowers may be harvested for bouquets, but leave adequate foliage on the plant to support the underground crown.

• Deadheading: After blossoms fade, remove spent flowers by cutting the flower stems back to a healthy set of leaves.

• After Flowering: Do not cut down healthy green foliage. The leaves continue photosynthesizing and storing energy needed for the following year's flowers.

• Summer: Remove badly diseased or damaged foliage when necessary, but preserve healthy leaves.

• Fall Cutback: Once foliage naturally yellows or is killed by frost, cut stems close to ground level, generally leaving approximately 1–2 inches.

• Fall Cleanup: Remove old foliage and stems from the planting area to reduce overwintering fungal disease problems.

• Winter: No additional pruning is necessary while the crown remains dormant underground.

Planting Instructions from a Bare Root or "Peony Bulb" into the Ground

Important: Although Primevère Peonies are commonly sold alongside flower bulbs, they are technically planted from fleshy bare-root divisions with visible growth buds called eyes, rather than true bulbs.

• Best Planting Time: Fall is ideal, generally September through November, while the soil remains workable. Early spring planting is also possible.

• Choose a Permanent Location: Peonies dislike frequent transplanting. Select a location where Primevère can remain undisturbed for many years.

• Sunlight: Choose a location receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

• Spacing: Space plants approximately 30–36 inches apart to allow for mature growth and good airflow.

• Prepare the Soil: Dig a broad planting hole approximately 12–18 inches wide and deep.

• Loosen the Soil: Break up compacted soil around the planting area so the fleshy roots can expand freely.

• Improve Poor Soil: Incorporate compost or well-aged organic matter as needed while maintaining excellent drainage.

• Avoid Fresh Manure: Do not place fresh manure or concentrated fertilizer directly against the roots.

• Identify the Eyes: Locate the small pink, red, or whitish pointed growth buds on the crown. These will produce the following season's stems.

• Position the Root: Place the crown with the eyes facing upward and the fleshy roots extending downward and outward.

• Critical Planting Depth: Position the uppermost eyes approximately 1–2 inches below the finished soil surface.

• Do Not Plant Too Deeply: This is one of the most important requirements for successful peony flowering. Peonies planted too deeply may produce healthy foliage but few or no flowers.

• Cold Climates: In colder regions, position the eyes approximately 2 inches below the surface.

• Warmer Climates: Toward the warmer end of the growing range, keep the eyes closer to 1 inch below the surface.

• Backfill Carefully: Gently work loose soil around the roots, eliminating large air pockets without heavily compacting the planting area.

• Water Thoroughly: Water deeply immediately after planting to settle soil around the roots.

• Recheck Planting Depth: After watering and soil settling, confirm that the eyes remain no more than approximately 2 inches below the finished surface.

• Mulching: Apply a light layer of mulch around the planting area if needed, but avoid piling thick mulch directly over the crown.

• First-Year Watering: Keep the soil moderately moist throughout the first growing season while the root system establishes.

• First-Year Expectations: Newly planted roots may produce limited foliage or few flowers during their first season.

• Establishment Period: Allow approximately 2–3 growing seasons for Primevère to develop into a substantial flowering clump.

Fertilizing Primevère Peony

• At Planting: Avoid placing concentrated fertilizer directly against the bare roots.

• Early Spring: Apply compost or an appropriate balanced, slow-release fertilizer around the root zone as new growth begins.

• Avoid Excess Nitrogen: Too much nitrogen can encourage abundant foliage at the expense of flower production.

• Fertilizer Placement: Apply fertilizer around the outer root zone rather than directly over the crown.

Overwintering & Seasonal Care

• Fall: Plant new bare-root peonies in well-prepared soil while temperatures are cool.

• Late Fall: After foliage dies back, cut stems close to ground level and remove old plant debris.

• Winter: The crown remains dormant underground. Cold winter temperatures are beneficial for reliable flowering.

• Early Spring: Reddish shoots emerge from the crown and quickly develop into leafy stems.

• Spring: Maintain adequate moisture as foliage and flower buds develop.

• Late Spring/Early Summer: Creamy-white flowers open to reveal soft canary-yellow centers.

• As Flowers Mature: The yellow central petaloids gradually soften to pale cream.

• After Flowering: Deadhead spent blossoms while retaining healthy foliage.

• Summer: Continue watering during prolonged dry periods and allow the foliage to remain intact.

• Autumn: Foliage naturally yellows or browns as the plant transfers energy into the underground crown.

• After Frost: Cut stems down and remove old foliage to prepare for winter dormancy.

Additional Growing Tips

Distinctive Flower Color: Primevère is particularly admired for its unusual combination of creamy-white outer petals and canary-yellow centers. As the flowers age, the yellow tones gradually fade to cream.

Planting Depth Is Critical: If an established peony produces abundant foliage but refuses to bloom, check whether the eyes were planted too deeply. Keep the uppermost crown buds approximately 1–2 inches below the finished soil surface.

Provide Support Early: Primevère is a prolific bloomer, but its flowering stems can be relatively weak. Install a peony ring or grow-through support early in spring before the plant reaches its mature height.

Be Patient: Newly planted bare-root peonies often spend their first season establishing roots. Flowering generally improves during the second and third growing seasons.

Cut Flower Tip: Harvest flower stems when the buds have developed color and feel slightly soft when gently squeezed, but before the blossoms fully open.

Companion Planting: Primevère pairs beautifully with purple alliums, lavender, catmint, salvia, bearded irises, hardy geraniums, roses, and ornamental grasses.

Ant Tip: Ants are naturally attracted to sugary secretions around developing peony buds. They are generally harmless and are not necessary for the flowers to open.

Long-Term Care Tip: Once established, leave Primevère undisturbed whenever possible. Peonies generally become larger and more impressive with age.

Safety Reminder: Primevère is an ornamental peony rather than an edible crop. Keep roots, foliage, and other plant material away from pets likely to consume garden plants.