Paeonia ‘Buckeye Belle’ (paeony / peony) was £14.99 now £9.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: fertile, moisture-retentive yet well-drained Rate of growth: average Flowering period: May to June Hardiness: fully hardy Prized for their blowsy, glamorous blooms and glossy, deeply cut foliage, peonies are held in deep affection by many gardeners, despite their short flowering season and vulnerability to peony wilt in damp weather. It’s easy to see why. From the promise of early spring, when their red, mottled shoots push through bare earth and the handsome foliage unfurls, to early summer, when the huge flowers burst open from spherical red buds, peonies exert a fascination that few can resist. ‘Buckeye Belle; has deep red semi-double flowers from early to mid summer and dark green leaves. This lovely, early-flowering peony will thrive in partial shade but will prefer a sunnier spot. Fill the bare ground around the peony with spring bulbs to prolong the season of interest. Garden care: Deadhead after flowering. In early spring apply a top-dressing of a balanced slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant and mulch well with well rotted garden compost or manure. If the plant shows signs of collapse or the leaves become spotty, this may be a symptom of peony botrytis. Remove affected leaves immediately. In autumn, cut off all foliage and dispose of it to prevent reinfection the following spring.