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Paeonia 'Miss America'
Miss America Peony
Garden hybrid; bred by Mann-van Steen (1936); APS Gold Medal 1956
Overview
Paeonia 'Miss America' is Miss America peony (semi-double white peony), a clumping herbaceous perennial growing 28-34 inches (70-85 cm) tall and 28-34 inches (70-85 cm) wide. Pure white semi-double flowers 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) diameter with a large golden stamen center. Buds open blush-pink and transition to pure white within 1-2 days. Dark green glossy deeply divided compound foliage. In Paeoniaceae. Bred by Mann-van Steen (1936). APS Gold Medal 1956. The semi-double form is lighter than fully double types and requires less staking — though peony rings are still recommended in windy sites. Two weeks of bloom (May-June). The bloom period is brief (2 weeks) — the primary limitation for season-long interest; the foliage remains as a dark green mound through summer and turns bronze in fall. Moderate fragrance. Requires 600+ chill hours below 40°F (4°C) — does not bloom reliably in zones 8b and warmer. Plant with the eyes (buds) no deeper than 2 inches (5 cm) below the soil surface. Three to five years to full bloom production. Botrytis blight (Botrytis paeoniae) causes bud blast and stem blackening in wet springs. Cut flower: vase life 5-7 days. Deer-resistant. Drought-tolerant once established. Mildly toxic to pets (contains paeonol). Zones 3-8. Full sun to partial shade. Growth rate is slow.
Native Range
Garden hybrid. Bred by Mann-van Steen (1936). APS Gold Medal 1956.Suggested Uses
Grown in perennial borders (mid-border) spaced 28-34 inches (70-85 cm) from adjacent plants. Cut flower — vase life 5-7 days. APS Gold Medal. Moderate fragrance. Semi-double — less staking than fully double types. Deer-resistant. Mildly toxic to pets. Zones 3-8.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2'4" - 2'10"
Width/Spread2'4" - 2'10"
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Late spring (May-June). Pure white semi-double flowers 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) with golden stamen center. Buds open blush-pink, transition to white. 2 weeks of bloom. Moderate fragrance. Bee-pollinated. Cut flower: vase life 5-7 days.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pure white semi-double flowers 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) diameter with a large golden stamen center; buds open blush-pink and transition to pure white within 1-2 daysFoliage Description
Dark green, deeply divided, glossy compound leaves with 3-5 leaflets per leafGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun to partial shade (5-8 hours). Well-drained soil pH 6.0-7.0. Plant eyes no deeper than 2 inches (5 cm). Requires 600+ chill hours — zones 3-8. Peony rings recommended. Do not remove foliage until frost. Botrytis blight in wet springs. 3-5 years to full bloom. Deer-resistant. Mildly toxic to pets.Pruning
Remove spent flowers at the first leaf below the bloom. Do not cut foliage until after the first hard frost (October-November). Cut all stems to ground level after frost. Do not compost peony foliage if botrytis blight is present.Pruning Schedule
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fall