Family
Paeoniaceae
Botanical Name
Paeonia lactiflora 'Duchesse D’orléans'
Plant Common Name
Duchesse d’Orléans Peony, Herbaceous Peony
General Description
The large, fragrant, fully double flowers of 'Duchesse D’orléans' are deep pink and salmon and appear late in the season. This old, French selection was bred by Modeste Guérin of Charonne, France in 1846. Like most double peonies, the flowers are heavy and should be staked to keep them from flopping in inclement weather.
The herbaceous peony is an all-time garden favorite. This large, bushy perennial originates from eastern Asia and has been bred for thousands of years. There are literally hundreds of wonderful cultivars available, and plants are commonly sold in catalogs because their fleshy rooted crowns are easy to store and ship.
The large, showy flowers of 'Duchesse D’orléans' appear in late spring or early summer. The blooms have large deep pink outer petals and a ruff of smaller salmon and pink petals in the center. Its leaves are medium to deep green and have a bold texture. These blooms are very fragrant, and make outstanding cut flowers. In fact, their sweetness tends to attract ants, which can be found climbing the stems to gather nectar from the round, bulbous, unopened peony buds.
Peonies grow best in full to partial sun, and well-drained, fertile soil. Large-flowered varieties tend to have very heavy flowers and may require staking. These old-fashioned perennials are very long-lived and have been known to survive in gardens for over 100-years. Plant them in foundation plantings or any floral border.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 8
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Sunset Zone
A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m
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Width
2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
Hybrid Origin, Asia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Pink, Rose, Salmon, Ivory
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Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
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Fruit Color
Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Red, Dark Green, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Dark Green, Brown, Bronze
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Double
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
