Paeonia lactiflora 'Duchesse de Nemours'

* * * * * Based on 11 reviews
This is everyone's favourite peony, with ivory white flowers and the sensational scent of Lily of the Valley. More
1 bare root, for autumn planting 200000-1 £6.95
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1 bare root, for spring/summer planting 510938-1 £7.95 In stock
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3 bare roots, for spring/summer planting 510938-3 £19.95 In stock
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More Details

Everyone's favourite peony, with ivory white flowers and the sensational scent of Lily of the Valley.

Once they've got themselves established, there are few more magnificent garden plants and cut flowers than peonies. Their season may be quite short, but if you have room in your garden, you have to include them.

They are the most luscious of all cut flowers, particularly when they're scented – like many of these. Kept cool, they should last at least two weeks in a vase.

  • These won't flower in the first year, but gradually build up flower production every year after that.
Genus Paeonia
Group/Species lactiflora
Variety Duchesse de Nemours
Type Herbaceous Perennial Shrub
Common Name Peony
Border Position Middle
Bulb Size 2/3
Soil Type Chalky, Neutral
Scent Scented
Site Full Sun
Moisture Moist but Well-drained
Height 90cm (36in)
Spacing Spread of 80cm (32in). Plant crowns just below the surface with resting buds no more than 3cm below the soil. You'll want clumps of 3 to 4 to give you enough for cutting.
Sowing, Seeds, Planting Container-grown plants can be planted at any time. Ideally, bare-root peonies should be planted between autumn and early spring unless the ground is frozen or waterlogged. If you are not able to plant straight away, pot them on into a large container ready to transplant when conditions allow. Remember on arrival to soak the root well before planting. Peonies prefer heavier soils (but not waterlogged), in a sunny or lightly shaded position. Mix plenty of organic matter into the planting hole and add grit on very heavy soils. Don’t plant too deep. The eyes of the peony roots should be no more than 3-5cm below the soil surface. Any deeper and they may not flower well. For the same reason, avoid mulching as this will gradually bury the crown. Herbaceous peonies are fine in a pot for a few years but their large root system will ultimately outgrow it. Shield from sun and use a soil-based compost with extra grit and lime.
Care Tips In early spring apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser around the base of the plant and mulch with well-rotted compost, avoid burying crown. Dead-head after flowering. Will not flower in its first year. Divide large plants in autumn, remove sections of the crown with at least three dormant growth buds each and roots attached. You may need to stake. Only take 1 or 2 stems from a plant for cutting. For a full guide to growing peonies see our advice pages.
Flowering May - June/July
Vase Life They must be put in water straight away after picking. Pick in bud or full flower. They may last 2 weeks if water is kept clean.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sow Under Cover/Plant Indoors
  • Direct Sow/Plant Outdoors
  • Flowers/Harvest
Advice & Videos
How to plant & grow peonies

Your step-by-step guide to growing peonies, how to grow them and when to care for them.

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Delivery

Plant Delivery - When in stock, please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery. 

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Paeonia lactiflora 'Duchesse de Nemours' reviews

* * * * * Average based on 11 reviews

* * * * *

Reviewed 5th August 2019 by Jocelyn

Good strong plant grew on well.

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Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Gillian

Too early to say,, I have tended them carefully and the plants look healthy but sadly there are to be no flowers in the first full year.

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Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Susan

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Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Jan

Bit smaller Than I thought but growing on ok

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Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Sue

All my plants are gorgeous. Never been able to grow sweet peas but mine this year are glorious

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Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Marja

As a first time gardener, the Sarah Raven website has been a great resource for me. Most of what I have bought and tried have done really well with only a few small fails. Anytime I write to their customer services department I always get a prompt reply with advice and they have replaced most of what didn't thrive. I don't always take up the replacement offer however as I feel like not everything is meant to thrive in every garden anyway so the experimenting is the best part. Delivery is quick and efficient, everything well packaged. It's nice to see good customer service for a change!

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Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Gabrielle

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Reviewed 3rd October 2018 by Ela

Beautiful and healthy, I potted it but didn’t have time to transplant to the ground

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Reviewed 19th September 2018 by Marion

Large bare roots arrived and I potted them into 3-litre pots initially, as the border wasn't ready to receive them. They grew very well and when they were planted out, actually flowered. The accompanying advice sheet said they wouldn't flower this year so I was surprised. Lovely scent, beautiful creamy flowers. The top growth has coped with the hot summer and still looks good.

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Reviewed 3rd September 2018 by Camilla

Service excellent and peonies healthy despite dry conditions

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Reviewed 3rd September 2018 by Mrs Watts

Seems to be establishing itself fine, no flowers this season

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