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Paeonia 'Felix Crousse' (Felix Crousse Peony)
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Perennials

Paeonia 'Felix Crousse'

Felix Crousse Peony

Paeoniaceae
Garden hybrid; bred by Victor Crousse, France, 1881

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitClumping
FoliageDeciduous
Height30-34 inches (75-85 cm)
Width30-34 inches (75-85 cm)
Maturity5 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8
Zone 3Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsDeer ResistantDrought TolerantFragrant (strong)
Maintenancelow

Overview

Paeonia 'Félix Crousse' is a heritage French peony bred by Victor Crousse in 1881 — over 140 years of continuous cultivation, confirming enduring garden merit. Plants grow 30–34 inches (75–85 cm) tall and wide. Rich ruby-crimson fully double flowers 5–6 inches (13–15 cm) across with a bomb-to-rose form and a strong sweet fragrance appear in May and June. The ruby-crimson color is a warm, saturated red without the blue-purple tones that many red peonies carry — a true rich red that has not been superseded by newer cultivars. The flower form is intermediate between a bomb type (high rounded center) and a rose type (evenly layered), with the inner petals slightly higher than the outer ring. Silver-tipped petal edges are sometimes visible on the inner petals, adding a subtle sheen. The 1881 introduction date makes this one of the oldest peonies still in wide commercial production — a testament to the lasting quality of the color, fragrance, and garden performance. Plants from the original 1881 release may still be alive in gardens today, as peonies routinely live 50–100+ years. Midseason bloom. Dark green glossy compound foliage. Same care as all herbaceous peonies. Mildly toxic.

Native Range

Garden peonies derive from Paeonia lactiflora. 'Félix Crousse' was bred by Victor Crousse in Nancy, France, 1881.

Suggested Uses

Used in heritage and cottage gardens, perennial borders, and cutting gardens. The 1881 pedigree adds historical interest. The ruby-crimson color and strong fragrance remain unsurpassed among red peonies after over 140 years.

How to Identify

Identified by rich ruby-crimson fully double flowers with a bomb-to-rose form and strong fragrance. The warm, true ruby-red (without blue-purple tones) and the silver-tipped inner petal edges are diagnostic. Heritage cultivar from 1881 — one of the oldest peonies in continuous production.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2'6" - 2'10"
Width/Spread2'6" - 2'10"

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

ruby
crimson
red

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

bronze

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
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SpringSummer
Flowering in May and June, approximately 2 weeks. Midseason timing. Ruby-crimson doubles with strong fragrance.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Rich ruby-crimson, fully double, bomb-to-rose form

Foliage Description

Dark green, deeply divided, glossy compound

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full SunPartial Shade
Requires 5-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loam
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade. Well-drained, humus-rich soil. Eyes no more than 2 inches (5 cm) deep. Support with peony ring. Remove spent heads. Leave foliage until frost. Mildly toxic.

Pruning

Remove spent flower heads. Cut all stems to ground level in late October–November.

Pruning Schedule

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fall

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Mildly toxic if ingested