Peony 'Miss America' Paeonia lactiflora 'Miss America'
ABOUT
'Miss America' is a bushy perennial to 90cm tall and wide with dark green leaves divided into oval to lance-shaped leaflets. Fragrant, semi-double, white flowers with golden-yellow stamens open from soft pink buds in late spring and early summer
About this plant
NamesFamily
Paeoniaceae.
Synonyms
White Peony, Garden Peony, Chinese Peony.
Common names
Paeonia lactiflora 'Miss America'
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: The Paeonia lactiflora 'Miss America', commonly known as the peony 'Miss America', produces large, showy flowers that enhance the beauty of gardens and landscapes.
- Fragrance: It emits a delightful fragrance that can perfume the air in the surrounding area, creating a pleasant sensory experience.
- Longevity: Peonies 'Miss America' are known to be long-lived perennials, often outliving the person who planted them with the potential to thrive for decades.
- Cut Flower Use: The blossoms make excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements, often lasting more than a week when cut in full bloom.
- Seasonal Interest: They provide significant seasonal interest in spring when the plant is in full bloom, contributing vibrant colors to the garden palette.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting the local ecosystem and aiding in the pollination of nearby plants.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, peonies such as 'Miss America' can be quite drought-tolerant, requiring minimal watering in some climates.
- Low Maintenance: These peonies generally require minimal upkeep beyond the removal of spent flowers and annual pruning to maintain shape and health.
- Cold Hardy: As hardy perennials, they can withstand cold winter temperatures, making them suitable for a variety of climates.
Medical Properties- Anti-inflammatory: Paeonia lactiflora 'Miss America' is known in traditional medicine for its potential to reduce inflammation.
- Antioxidant: May contain compounds that exhibit antioxidant activities.
- Analgesic: Has been used historically to help alleviate pain.
- Immune system modulation: Could potentially influence the immune system.
- Neuroprotective effects: There is some evidence to suggest that it may have neuroprotective properties.
- Antispasmodic: Traditionally used to relieve muscle spasms and cramps.
- Soothing effect on the nervous system: Might have a calming effect, helping to ease stress and anxiety.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- As a fabric dye: The petals of the Peony 'Miss America' can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, imparting soft hues of pink or yellow depending on the mordant used.
- In perfumery: The blossom's subtle fragrance can be used in making perfumes or scented sachets to impart a delicate scent to linens and clothing.
- As a floral motif: The Peony 'Miss America' is an inspiration for artists and can be used as a motif in various forms of decorative arts such as embroidery, pottery, or wallpaper designs.
- In culinary presentations: Petals from the Peony 'Miss America' can be used as edible garnishes on salads and desserts, adding a touch of elegance.
- As a source of inspiration: The beauty of the Peony 'Miss America' is often used to inspire creative works, including poetry, literature, and visual arts.
- In crafting: Dried petals and leaves can be used in making homemade paper or included in crafting materials for scrapbooking and card making.
- For event décor: Because of their large blooms and attractive appearance, these peonies are used to create stunning arrangements for weddings and events.
- As a symbol in cultural festivals: In some cultures, the Peony 'Miss America' may represent prosperity and be used during certain festivals or celebrations as a symbol of good fortune.
- In photography: The striking appearance of the Peony 'Miss America' makes it a favorite subject for photographers, particularly in macro photography.
- In garden design: While not unusual, using Peony 'Miss America' as a structural element in garden design, can define spaces or create a focus because of its robust and attractive foliage even when not in bloom.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Peony is often used in Feng Shui to attract love and romance; hence, placing Paeonia lactiflora 'Miss America', or Peony, in the southwest corner of your garden or home can enhance relationship luck and bring feminine beauty.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Peony is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Prosperity: The Peony, including the 'Miss America' cultivar, has long been associated with wealth and prosperity due to its lush, full blooms.
- Romance: With its large, fragrant flowers, the Peony is often seen as a symbol of romantic love and is a popular choice in wedding bouquets and decorations.
- Honor and Nobility: In historical contexts, particularly in Asia, Peonies have symbolized honor and high status, often depicted in art to denote nobility and class.
- Beauty: The 'Miss America' Peony, with its stunning white petals and golden stamens, represents the idea of beauty in its purest form.
- Happy Marriage: Given as a traditional wedding gift in some cultures, Peonies like 'Miss America' are thought to bring good fortune and a happy marriage to the newlyweds.
- Compassion: Peonies can also symbolize compassion and empathy, perhaps due to the softness and fullness of their blooms.
- Healing: In some traditions, the Peony is seen as having medicinal properties, hence it also represents healing and good health.
WaterPeonies like the 'Miss America' variety should be watered deeply once a week, providing about an inch of water each time which equates to roughly 0.6 gallons per square foot. This frequency should increase during hot, dry spells, and decrease during periods of heavy rain. Avoid overhead watering to minimize the risk of fungal diseases; instead, water at the base of the plant early in the day. During the winter, peonies require less water as they enter dormancy, but the soil should not completely dry out.
LightPeonies such as 'Miss America' thrive in full sun to partial shade. They perform best with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, which encourages strong stems and abundant blooms. If planted in too much shade, the stems may weaken, and the number of flowers will decrease. A spot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade can also be suitable, helping to protect the blooms from the intense, late-day sun.
TemperaturePeonies like 'Miss America' prefer temperate climates and are cold-hardy, withstanding temperatures as low as -20°F. They require a period of winter chilling, below 40°F, to establish dormancy and set buds for the following spring. The ideal growing temperature range is between 65°F and 75°F during the growing season. They can survive summer heat up to around 90°F, but prolonged temperatures above this can cause stress.
Pruning'Miss America' peonies should be pruned to remove spent flowers after blooming to encourage healthy growth and prevent seeding, which can decrease the following year's blooms. In the fall, after the first frost, cut back the foliage to the ground to prevent overwintering diseases. Pruning in early spring is also recommended to remove any dead or damaged wood. Pruning is not generally needed at any other time unless shaping of the plant is required.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for growing Peony 'Miss America' is one that is fertile, well-draining, with plenty of organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure. A slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.5-7.0 is ideal for this plant. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot, as peonies do not like to sit in water.
RepottingPeony 'Miss America' typically does not need frequent repotting as it is a perennial plant. Repotting can be done every 3-5 years or when the plant outgrows its container, although peonies often perform better when left undisturbed.
Humidity & MistingPeony 'Miss America' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does not require any special humidity considerations for successful growth. However, it's important to avoid overly humid conditions to prevent fungal diseases.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright indirect light, cool temps, and avoid overwatering.
Outdoor
Choose sunny spot, well-draining soil, and mulch in winter.
Hardiness zone
Hardiness zones for Peony 'Miss America' are 3-8 USDA.
Life cycleThe life of 'Miss America' Peony (Paeonia lactiflora 'Miss America') typically begins when a seed or division is planted in well-draining soil, preferably in full sun or partial shade. The plant enters a growth stage in spring, sending up shoots that develop into sturdy stems with deep green foliage. By late spring to early summer, 'Miss America' Peony blooms with large, fragrant white flowers that can attract pollinators to the garden. After flowering, the plant enters a period of seed production if pollination occurs, with seed pods developing which can be harvested for propagation. As the growing season ends, the plant's foliage turns brown and dies back with the onset of autumn, entering a dormant period throughout the winter months. With the return of warmer temperatures in spring, the cycle begins anew with the emergence of fresh growth.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
The most popular method of propagation for the Peony 'Miss America' is through division, which is typically done in the fall after the plant has been allowed to die back. To propagate by division, you need to lift the entire plant out of the ground and shake off the excess soil to reveal the root structure. Look for natural divisions in the root mass, ensuring that each division has at least 3-5 eyes, which are the potential growth points for next year's shoots. Using a sharp, clean knife or spade, cut the root mass into sections, each with a portion of the roots and eyes. The divisions can then be replanted immediately, setting them so that the eyes are about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) below the soil surface. It is critical to water the newly planted divisions thoroughly to help establish them. This process allows the plant to rejuvenate and multiply while maintaining the characteristics of the 'Miss America' cultivar.
