Paeonia 'Cora Louise'

Paeonia 'Cora Louise': Moonlight Elegance with a Bold Heart

Ethereal yet striking, Paeonia 'Cora Louise' captivates with enormous semi-double blooms in pristine white, each petal brushed with a soft lavender flush and framing a rich golden centre. As an intersectional (Itoh) hybrid, it blends the strong stems and tidy foliage of a tree peony with the herbaceous habit of a perennial—delivering elegance, vigour, and repeat-worthy garden performance.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 70–80 cm
• Spread: 90–100 cm
• Flower Colour: White with lavender flares and golden centres; semi-double
• Flowering Period: Late spring to early summer
• Foliage: Deeply cut, dark green foliage that remains full and tidy through fall
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Rich, moist, well-drained soil

Uses and Benefits: Paeonia 'Cora Louise' is a showpiece perennial that brings luminosity and structure to sunny borders, mixed beds, or foundation plantings. Its large, long-lasting blooms attract pollinators, while its lush foliage adds three-season substance. As an Itoh peony, it boasts strong stems that rarely require staking, making it a low-maintenance choice for refined or contemporary designs alike. An excellent cut flower with a mild fragrance, it bridges the seasons between spring bulbs and summer perennials.

Companion Plants: Pair Paeonia 'Cora Louise' with Geranium 'Rozanne', whose billowy violet blooms and long flowering season provide soft contrast and extended interest through summer. Add Veronica 'Magic Show White Wands' for upright form and pure white spikes that mirror the peony’s clarity and brighten the mid-border. Anchor the composition with Panicum 'Northwind', a vertical ornamental grass with blue-green foliage that brings height, movement, and a contemporary edge to this elegant trio.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun or part shade in rich, well-drained soil. Ensure the crown is positioned just below the soil surface. Water during dry spells and mulch annually to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Deadhead after bloom to maintain appearance. In autumn, cut back stems to the ground. Unlike herbaceous peonies, Itoh varieties can be divided for propagation but do not require regular division to thrive.

History: Paeonia 'Cora Louise' is a prized Itoh peony hybrid developed by Roger Anderson of Wisconsin. Named for his mother, it combines the floral excellence of tree peonies with the hardiness and easy care of herbaceous types. Its elegant colouration and reliable garden performance have earned it widespread acclaim among collectors and designers.

Final Thoughts: Serene and sophisticated, Paeonia 'Cora Louise' glows in the garden like moonlight on petals—subtle in tone, powerful in presence, and unforgettable in bloom.