Peony Edulis Superba

Paeonia 'Merry Mayshine', introduced by Saunders and Smetana in 1994, is a stunning early-blooming peony with vibrant crimson single flowers that brighten any garden. Each bloom stands proudly on sturdy stems reaching 70 cm, surrounded by lush, fern-like foliage that adds texture and elegance. The foliage, blooms, and general appearance resemble the fern-leaf peony Paeonia tenuifolia. With two layers of broad, crimson petals framing a center of golden-yellow stamens and a red stigma, this peony is visually captivating, especially from a distance.

Peony 'Merry Mayshine' received the Award of Landscape Merit in 2009 for its reliability and robust growth habit. This peony forms a vigorous, compact clump that resists inclement weather, making it ideal for early-season perennial borders. Its foliage is deeply cut, reminiscent of fern-leaf peonies, yet with a unique structure that ensures an upright, compact form. Perfect for gardeners seeking an eye-catching perennial with early, vibrant color.

How to grow Paeonia lactiflora - the Chinese peony

The Chinese peony or common garden peony is native to central and eastern Asia from eastern Tibet across northern China to eastern Siberia. There are several hundred selected cultivars of Chinese peony in a range of colors, sizes and forms. Many have double flowers, and many colors are available, from pure white, to pink, rose, and near red, along with single to fully double forms. Most of the cultivars are fragrant. The Chinese peony is an easily grown and undemanding perennial. Paeonia lactiflora prefers full sun, although a few types will tolerate light shade. They prefer a good, fertile, well-drained soil, which is preferably neutral to alkaline. These large perennials are tolerant to a wide range of soil conditions, but will not survive if the soil becomes waterlogged or too dry.