Paeonia 'Kansas'

Paeonia 'Kansas': A True Red Worth Seeing From the House

'Kansas' is big, bold and red, with absolutely zero interest in sharing the spotlight. Fully double rose-type blooms that hold their colour without fading. WE'RE NOT IN BEIGE-LAND ANYMORE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Paeonia lactiflora 'Kansas'
• Common Name: Garden Peony
• Height: 75–90 cm (30–35 in)
• Spread: 60 cm (2 ft)
• Flowers: Large, fully double, rose-type blooms in bright clear red that hold their colour well
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer (May to June)
• Foliage: Dark green, divided leaves on an upright clump
• Features: Strong stems, long-lived

Where to Plant: It makes a bold accent in a sunny border and an excellent cut flower. True red is hard to find in peonies, so plant it where it can be seen from the house. It shrugs off cold winters, which makes it a sturdy pick for Canadian gardens.

Companion Plants: Astrantia 'Star of Fire' carries burgundy pincushion flowers at 60 cm from June to August, echoing the deep red peony. Persicaria polymorpha rises to 120 to 180 cm behind with cream plumes over the same months. Hemerocallis 'Always Afternoon' adds purple daylilies at 50 to 55 cm from June to August. This group suits full sun or part sun.

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. The stems are strong, but full double flowers still catch rain, so a peony ring in early spring is cheap insurance. Deadhead after bloom. Cut the stems to the ground in fall and clean up the leaves. Peonies prefer to stay put, so pick the spot with care.

History: 'Kansas' was bred by American peony breeder Myron Bigger and registered in 1940. The American Peony Society awarded it a Gold Medal in 1957, and it's been a go-to red peony ever since.

Final Thoughts: Strong stems, long life and deer that stay away. Plant it and click your heels. THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE YOUR GARDEN.