Paeonia 'Krinkled White'

Paeonia 'Krinkled White': Tissue-Paper Petals Left Unironed

'Krinkled White' looks like it just came out of the dryer and decided ironing is overrated. Broad, crinkled white petals around a bright yellow centre, and the bees are absolutely here for it. WRINKLES ARE A PERSONALITY.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Paeonia lactiflora 'Krinkled White'
• Common Name: Garden Peony
• Height: 75 cm (30 in)
• Spread: 90 cm (3 ft)
• Flowers: Single, with broad, crinkled white petals around a centre of yellow stamens; lightly fragrant
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer (May to June)
• Foliage: Deep green, divided leaves on a tall, upright clump
• Features: Long-lived

Where to Plant: It's at home in a white garden, a cottage border or a naturalistic planting, where its simple flowers look as relaxed as wildflowers. Single flowers shrug off rain better than doubles, so it looks good even after a storm.

Companion Plants: Give 'Krinkled White' a sunny or part-shade bed with violet spikes, pink lupines and scarlet bee balm. Veronica 'Royal Candles' adds violet-blue spikes at 30 to 38 cm in June and July. Lupinus 'Gallery Pink' brings pink lupine spikes at 45 to 60 cm in June and July. Monarda 'Gardenview Scarlet' adds scarlet bee balm at 90 to 120 cm from July to September. Miscanthus Mystal™ 'Fire Dragon' rises behind at 180 to 210 cm in bloom.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun to part sun, in rich, well-drained soil. Set the eyes on the crown no more than 5 cm (2 in) below the soil surface. Planting too deep is the classic reason a peony won't bloom. Water well through the first season. Single flowers are light, so it rarely needs staking. Deadhead after bloom, or leave a few seed heads for interest. Cut the stems to the ground in fall and remove the old leaves. It doesn't need dividing and will happily stay in one place for decades.

History: 'Krinkled White' was introduced in 1928 by A. M. Brand, one of the leading American peony breeders of his day, whose catalogue called it the finest of the white singles. In 2009 the American Peony Society gave it the Award of Landscape Merit.

Final Thoughts: Long-lived, deer resistant and happy with dry spells. Plant it and throw out the iron. EFFORTLESS IS THE NEW POLISHED.