Peony Paeonia 'Eden's Perfume'

Water

Peonies like 'Eden's Perfume' should be watered deeply once a week, ensuring the equivalent of 1 inch of rainfall, which is roughly 0.6 gallons per square yard. During the growing season, particularly if the weather is dry, it's essential to water the plants regularly. Avoid overhead watering to minimize the risk of fungal diseases; instead, use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to direct water to the root zone. During the fall, you can reduce watering as the plant prepares for dormancy. If your peony is newly planted, it may require more frequent watering to help establish it, possibly every 3 to 4 days for the first few weeks.

Light

Peonies like 'Eden's Perfume' thrive in full sun, meaning they prefer at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. They can tolerate light afternoon shade, particularly in hotter climates, but too much shade can reduce blooming. The ideal spot would be a location that gets full morning sun and partial afternoon shade, as intense midday sun can sometimes harm the delicate blooms.

Temperature

Peonies such as 'Eden's Perfume' are cold-hardy and require a period of winter chill to bloom successfully, thriving between 65°F and 75°F. They can survive winter temperatures as low as -20°F and will enter dormancy during this time. In the summer, they can tolerate temperatures up to 85°F but may need protection from extreme heat. The ideal temperatures for peonies are those that provide a distinct seasonal variation, aligning with their need for a cold winter and a warm spring.

Pruning

Prune peonies like 'Eden's Perfume' after flowering, cutting back the spent blooms to maintain a tidy appearance and encourage healthy growth. During the fall, after the first frost, cut the foliage back to the ground to prevent overwintering diseases. They require minimal pruning compared to other perennials and should be pruned once annually – after blooming for aesthetic reasons and in late fall for plant health.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Peonies, including the 'Eden's Perfume' variety, thrive in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. A mix containing two-thirds garden soil and one-third compost or well-rotted manure will create the ideal environment for these plants. Ensure the soil is loosened deeply to facilitate good root growth.

Repotting

Peonies like 'Eden's Perfume' very rarely need repotting. They prefer to be left undisturbed and can thrive in the same location for many years. Dividing or moving a peony should only be necessary every 10 to 15 years, if at all, unless the plant is experiencing poor performance or outgrowing its space.

Humidity & Misting

Peonies, including the 'Eden's Perfume' variety, are not overly sensitive to humidity levels and do well in average outdoor conditions. They do not require any special humidity considerations and are well adapted to the typical range found in temperate climates.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Not ideal indoors; requires deep planting, full sun, cold period.

• Outdoor

  Plant in sun, well-drained soil, water deeply; mulch in winter.

• Hardiness zone

  3-8 USDA

Life cycle

Peony 'Eden's Perfume' begins its life as a dormant bare-root tuber planted in the soil in late fall. In early spring, red shoots emerge from the ground, developing into robust, green, divided leaves. As the plant matures, buds form at the tips of the stems in late spring, which bloom into large, fragrant pink flowers in late spring to early summer. After flowering, the plant sets seed in the form of a capsule if pollination has occurred, which matures by late summer. The foliage of 'Eden's Perfume' peony provides ornamental interest throughout the summer before dying back to the ground after frost in the fall as the plant enters dormancy. The cycle repeats each spring when the plant re-emerges from its roots, gradually growing larger and more floriferous with each passing year.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The Paeonia 'Eden's Perfume', also known as the peony, is predominantly propagated by division, which is best done in the fall after the plants have gone dormant. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the peony plant and gently shake off the soil, exposing the root system. Look for the eyes, which are the potential growth points on the roots—these will turn into next year's stems. Using a sharp knife, divide the root clump ensuring that each section has at least 3-5 eyes along with a portion of root. Replant these divisions promptly, making sure that the eyes are no deeper than 2 inches (about 5 centimeters) below the surface of the soil, as planting them too deep can prevent flowering. Water the newly planted divisions thoroughly to help establish them. This method allows for the creation of new peony plants that are true to the parent in form and flower.