MONTY’S PLANT OF THE WEEK

HERBACEOUS PEONY

(Paeonia officinalis)

These blooms are at their voluptuous best right now. Single peonies flower earlier than multi-petalled ones and have an easy, light charm. Some doubles are held in place by the outer petals, like ‘Marie Lemoine’, a cup of pale lemon froth, or the pale pink ‘Nymphe’ (pictured) which tolerates more shade than some types. Peonies produce more leaf than flower in sandy soil. In heavy clay they take longer to establish but produce better flowers. Whatever the soil, they do best in full sun or light shade.