Peony 'Monsieur Jules Elie' Paeonia lactiflora 'Monsieur Jules Elie'

Water

For the Peony 'Monsieur Jules Elie', water the plant deeply once a week, providing about 1 inch of water which roughly translates to 0.623 gallons spread around the root zone. It’s important to allow the soil to dry out somewhat between waterings to prevent root rot. During hot, dry spells in summer, increase watering frequency to twice a week. Reduce watering as the plant goes dormant after flowering and in the fall to encourage hardiness. Always avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry and prevent fungal diseases.

Light

Peonies, including 'Monsieur Jules Elie', thrive in full sun, which means they need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. An ideal spot is one where they are protected from the intense afternoon sun, ensuring they receive most of the light in the morning. Partial shade is acceptable, especially in regions with very hot summers, but too much shade can reduce blooming.

Temperature

Peonies like 'Monsieur Jules Elie' are cold-hardy and require a winter chilling period; they can tolerate winter temperatures as low as -20 to -30 degrees Fahrenheit, but the ideal growing temperatures during the growing season range from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive in summer temperatures up to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, but flower longevity may be reduced in excessive heat.

Pruning

Prune your 'Monsieur Jules Elie' peony in the fall, cutting back the faded foliage to ground level after the first frost to help prevent disease. This also tidies up the plant, as peonies die back to the ground each winter. Pruning in the fall is all that’s needed in terms of pruning for peonies; they do not require regular shaping or thinning like some other perennials.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Peonies like 'Monsieur Jules Elie' thrive in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. A mix of two-thirds garden soil and one-third compost or well-rotted manure is ideal. The pH should be neutral to slightly alkaline, around 6.5 to 7.5.

Repotting

Peonies like 'Monsieur Jules Elie' do not need to be repotted often; they prefer to be left undisturbed and can remain in the same spot for many years, up to 10-15 years or longer.

Humidity & Misting

Peonies like 'Monsieur Jules Elie' are not particularly humidity-sensitive and can thrive in the average outdoor humidity levels found in their growing zones.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Grow 'Monsieur Jules Elie' peony in bright light; ensure cool temperatures.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full sun, rich soil, water regularly, mulch, provide space.

• Hardiness zone

  3-8 USDA

Life cycle

Paeonia lactiflora 'Monsieur Jules Elie', commonly known as the peony, begins its life cycle when the seed germinates in the soil, typically requiring a period of cold stratification to break dormancy. The plant emerges as a seedling in spring and grows rapidly, developing a set of true leaves and establishing a root system. Over the years, the peony matures into a clump-forming perennial with sturdy stems and deep green foliage, reaching full size in 3-4 years. The peony blooms in late spring to early summer, showing off large, fragrant, double pink flowers that attract pollinators. After blooming, the plant sets seed in the form of a capsule if pollination has occurred. In the autumn, the peony's foliage dies back, and the plant enters dormancy, retreating to its underground storage organs (tubers or rhizomes) to survive the winter and begin the cycle anew the following spring.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The most popular method of propagation for the Peony 'Monsieur Jules Elie' is by division, which is best done in the fall after the plants have become dormant. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the entire plant, making sure to keep as much of the root system intact as possible. Then, using a sharp knife or garden spade, cut the plant into sections ensuring that each division has at least 3 to 5 eyes, which are the growth nodes where new stems will emerge. Replant each division at the same depth it was growing at originally, spacing them about 3 feet (approximately 0.9 meters) apart to give them ample room to grow. Water the new divisions thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the roots and help with recovery from the transplanting process.