Paeonia lactiflora 'White Wings'
Chinese peony
Garden origin; species native to eastern Asia
Overview
Paeonia lactiflora 'White Wings' is a herbaceous perennial peony forming an upright clump 30-36 inches (75-90 cm) tall and 30-36 inches (75-90 cm) wide. Unlike the fully double cultivars common in the species, 'White Wings' bears single flowers with one ring of broad, pure white petals around a central boss of golden-yellow stamens. Flowers are 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) across, fragrant, and open in late spring to early summer. The deeply divided dark green foliage emerges red-tinged in spring, stays green through summer, and takes on bronze tones before dying back in autumn. Single flowers shed petals more quickly than doubles, with bloom lasting about 7-10 days per plant. The lighter single blooms hold up in rain and seldom need staking, unlike heavy double forms that often flop. Plants are long-lived, persisting for decades in one position, but resent root disturbance and may skip a year of bloom after division.
Native Range
A garden cultivar of Paeonia lactiflora, a species native to eastern Asia across northern China, Mongolia, and eastern Siberia, where it grows on grassy slopes and in scrub. The cultivar arose in cultivation.Suggested Uses
Grown in mixed and herbaceous borders and in cutting gardens, spaced 30-36 inches (75-90 cm) apart. The single flowers are used as cut flowers, lasting several days in water. Suited to permanent planting where the clump can be left undisturbed for years.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2'6" - 3'
Width/Spread2'6" - 3'
Bloom Information
Blooms in late spring to early summer, May to June, in the midseason of the herbaceous peony season. Each plant flowers for about 7-10 days; single-flowered forms have a shorter display than doubles. Cool weather extends the bloom and heat shortens it.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White with yellow stamensFoliage Description
Dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to light shade in deep, fertile, well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Plants flower poorly in deep shade and in soil that stays wet in winter. Bud eyes are set 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) below the surface, as deeper planting suppresses flowering. Botrytis blight can blacken buds and stems in wet springs. Ants visiting the buds feed on nectar and cause no harm. Established clumps are left undisturbed; division in early autumn into sections with 3-5 eyes is the means of propagation, though plants take 1-2 years to resume full bloom.Pruning
Cut stems to ground level in autumn after the foliage dies back, and remove the debris to reduce botrytis carryover. Deadhead spent flowers to keep the plant tidy, leaving the foliage to feed the roots. No other pruning is needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fall
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons