Paeonia lactiflora 'Alice Harding'

Size and growth:

Height:

2.0 to 2.5 feet

Spread:

2.0 to 2.5 feet

Bloom / flowers:

Time:

May

Color:

Pink petals with white center

Other characteristics:

Showy flowers, Fragrant flowers, Pink, and Butterflies

Uses:

Peonies are a standard of the perennial border, both as specimens and in groups. Also effective as accents or herbaceous hedges along fences, sidewalks, driveways or walls. Flowers are extremely showy, and foliage can remain attractive throughout the growing season either alone or as a frame or backdrop for other perennials.

Problems:

Peonies are considered to be relatively pest free. Botyrtis blight, Phytopthora blight, and leaf blotch (measles) are sometimes problems. Ants on peony buds are common and totally harmless. If plants do not flower, possible causes include: (1) planted too deep or too shallow, (2) planted in too much shade, (3) late frost killed flower buds or (4) plant is too young or has been recently moved or disturbed. Large, fully double blooms usually need staking or other support because they tend to arch toward the ground in the best of weather and can be literally driven into the ground by a hard rain.