These exuberant and decadent flowers come into their own at the end of May, when they open from tight buds into immense soft clouds of billowing petals. They take their name from the ancient Greek god Paeon, healer of pain, as it was once believed that peonies could cure many ailments. Herbaceous peonies were introduced here in 1548 and have since become a quintessential ingredient of the English country garden. Shades range from powder-puff pink to deep red, and some peonies have an enchanting fragrance, which adds to their appeal as a cut flower.

Peonies have long been a favourite with plant breeders, who have developed the flower for both the garden and the vase to such an extent that hybrid and new varieties have almost replaced the original species plants. Softly coloured tones abound, from the pure-white trusses of Paeonia 'Mrs Edward Harding' and the candyfloss pink of P. 'Mister Ed', to the bolder, more saturated colours of lipstick-pink P. 'Better Times', the flames and scarlets of P. 'Carol' and P. 'Blaze', and the deep, rich red of P. 'Midnight Sun'. Select a colour to suit your garden and enjoy the lush, abundant foliage once the flowers have faded.

PEONY VARIETIES
• Single-flowered varieties have one row of petals with a central boss of stamens. The petals of Paeonia 'Pink Princess' appear pale pink but are actually heavily speckled pink on skirts of white. P. 'Blaze' has, as its name suggests, flame-red petals.
• Semi-double varieties lie somewhere between singles and the large pom-pom flowers characteristic of true doubles. Examples include P. 'Amibilis', a voluptuous fluffy pink bloom with seemingly feathered inner petals circled by a “guard” of more rose-like petals, and P. 'Carol', whose velvety scarlet petals are particularly rose-like.
• Japanese-style peonies are similar to singles but have an almost furry, broad inner clutch of narrow, ragged petaloids, often in a contrasting shade, which brings a touch of the exotic to the family. They range from the pale allure of P. 'Honey Gold', to the rich and striking red and gold of P. 'Midnight Sun'.

WHERE TO SEE AND BUY PEONIES
• You can admire many different varieties of peonies at Claire Austin Hardy Plants, Shifnal, Shropshire, (01952) 463700. See plants on-line or send for the mail-order catalogue. You can buy from the adjoining nursery, and Claire is often on hand to give expert advice.
• Kelways, Langport, Somerset, (01458) 250521, is a nursery that was established in 1851 and contains many peonies bred by the Kelway family. It also has a delightful show garden. Both Claire Austin and Kelways exhibit at the major Royal Horticultural Society shows, where you can place orders for autumn planting.
• Penshurst Place Gardens, (01892) 870307. This 600-year-old garden in Kent boasts, among other things, a 120-metre border of peonies, so long that one end flowers a week after the other.
• West Green House Garden, (01252) 844611. Renowned gardener Marylyn Abbott has created a peony garden in Hook, Hampshire, with an Oriental theme, including a dashing red dragon sculpture in a nod to the peony's origins. You will also find many other specimens in the traditional borders of the garden.

WORDS AND STYLING JACKY HOBBS
PHOTOGRAPHS MICHELLE GARRETT
MAY 2006