How to Grow and Care for Eden’s Perfume Peony

The ‘Eden’s Perfume’ peony is an Itoh, or Intersectional, hybrid known for its sensory appeal. It produces large, fully double blossoms up to seven inches in diameter. These flowers are a soft, creamy pink, often with raspberry-colored flares near the center, creating a delicate, layered appearance. Its name reflects its strong fragrance, often compared to a Damask rose. As an Itoh peony, it combines the strong stems and large flowers of a tree peony with the herbaceous growth of a garden peony.

Planting Eden’s Perfume Peony

The ideal time to plant ‘Eden’s Perfume’ is in the fall, allowing the bare root to establish itself before winter. This peony requires a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, though some light afternoon shade can be beneficial in warmer climates. The soil must be well-draining, as its roots will not tolerate waterlogged conditions.

Amending the native soil with organic matter, such as well-rotted compost, improves its structure and fertility, which is particularly helpful for heavy clay or sandy soils. When you are ready to plant the bare root, dig a hole spacious enough to accommodate the root system, typically about one foot deep and one-and-a-half feet wide.

Correct planting depth is a primary factor for ensuring future blooms. The growth buds, or “eyes,” on the root crown should be positioned no more than 1.5 to 2 inches below the soil surface, as planting deeper can prevent flowering. After placing the root in the hole with the eyes facing upward, backfill with the amended soil and water thoroughly to settle it. Space plants about three to four feet apart to allow for mature growth and air circulation.

General Care and Maintenance

Once established, ‘Eden’s Perfume’ requires straightforward care. Water deeply and infrequently rather than with shallow, frequent applications. Consistent moisture is beneficial during its first year, though mature plants are quite drought-tolerant. Water at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry, which helps prevent fungal diseases.

Fertilization supports vigorous growth and abundant flowering. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer is a good choice, and an application in early spring as new shoots emerge is typically sufficient. Some gardeners opt for a low-nitrogen formula, such as a 5-10-10 analysis, to direct more energy toward flower production. A second feeding can be applied after the bloom season to help the plant store energy.

While Itoh peonies have strong stems, the large flowers can sometimes cause them to droop. Providing support is a preventative measure that can protect the blooms. A peony ring or cage can be installed in early spring before the plant has put on significant growth, allowing the foliage to grow through it and keep the stems upright.

End-of-Season Care

As the blooming period for ‘Eden’s Perfume’ concludes, deadheading, or removing spent flowers, is a good practice. This keeps the plant tidy and redirects its energy from seed production to root and foliage development.

In the late fall, after the first hard frost has caused the foliage to die back, cut the plant down to about four to six inches from the ground. It is important to remove all the cut foliage and other plant debris from the garden area. This cleanup helps prevent overwintering of potential pathogens, such as fungal spores, that could cause problems the following spring.

In very cold climates (USDA zones 3-4), applying a light layer of mulch after the ground has frozen can offer extra winter protection. This is most beneficial for new plants. Established plants require a cold period to bloom, so heavy mulching is not recommended.

Common Issues and Solutions

A common issue is a peony that fails to bloom. This can be traced to a few primary causes: the root crown being planted too deep, too much shade, or an excess of nitrogen from over-fertilizing. Excess nitrogen promotes lush foliage at the expense of flowers.

Fungal diseases like botrytis, or gray mold, can affect peonies, especially during cool, wet weather. Symptoms include wilting stems and flower buds that turn brown and fail to open. Ensuring good air circulation by properly spacing plants is a key preventative measure. If symptoms appear, affected parts of the plant should be removed and disposed of.

Ants crawling on peony buds are a common sight but are not harmful. This is a normal interaction where ants are attracted to the sweet nectar the buds excrete. In return for the meal, they may help protect the buds from other insects. There is no need to remove the ants, as they do not damage the plant or prevent the flowers from opening.