Paeonia 'Buckeye Belle'

Paeonia 'Buckeye Belle': Red So Dark It Flirts With Black

'Buckeye Belle' is first to the party every year, and she arrives in glossy dark red. Semi-double petals around a golden centre, open for pollinators before the other peonies have even woken up. FASHIONABLY EARLY.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Paeonia hybrid (P. officinalis × P. lactiflora) 'Buckeye Belle'
• Common Name: Garden Peony, Hybrid Peony
• Height: 60–75 cm (24–30 in)
• Spread: 90 cm (35 in)
• Flowers: Semi-double, deep glossy red with yellow at the centre
• Bloom Time: Late spring (May to early June), one of the earliest peonies
• Foliage: Deep green and divided, bushy and upright
• Features: Very early bloom, American Peony Society Gold Medal (2010)

Where to Plant: Plant it in a sunny border where its very early bloom can stretch the season by a couple of weeks. It's also a strong choice for the cutting garden, where the near-black red gives bouquets some depth.

Companion Plants: Aruncus aethusifolius makes a neat 25 to 45 cm mound with cream plumes in June and July, right after the dark red peony flowers. Tradescantia 'Concord Grape' adds purple flowers at 40 to 45 cm from June to September. Elymus virginicus gives a native grassy backdrop at 90 to 125 cm that flowers from June to August. This trio is happy in full sun or part sun.

Plant Care: Plant it in full sun for the most flowers. Part sun works, with fewer blooms. Give it fertile, well-drained soil with some compost mixed in. Set the crown so the pink buds, called eyes, sit no more than 5 cm (2 in) below the soil surface. Planted deeper, peonies tend to sulk and skip blooming. Water regularly through the first season, then only during long dry spells. The semi-double flowers are lighter than big doubles and usually stand without support. Ants on the buds are normal and do no harm. In fall, cut the stems to the ground and clear away the leaves to reduce diseases such as botrytis. Peonies dislike being moved. If you must divide, do it in early fall, keeping three to five eyes per piece.

History: 'Buckeye Belle' was bred by Mains in Ohio, the Buckeye State, and dates to 1956, a hybrid of Paeonia officinalis and Paeonia lactiflora. The American Peony Society gave it an Award of Landscape Merit in 2009 and a Gold Medal in 2010.

Final Thoughts: Plant it with later peonies and stretch the season. The deer will stay away. THE BELLE OF EVERY BALL.