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Paeonia ‘Red Emperor’ (Peony)

Peony 'Red Emperor', 'Red Emperor' Peony, Red Peonies

Paeonia 'Red Emperor',Peony 'Red Emperor', ''Red Emperor' Peony, Red Peonies, Red Flowers

Peony ‘Red Emperor’ is a very attractive hybrid peony with very large, brilliant red blossoms delicately fading as they age. Blooming heavily in late spring – early summer, this early midseason peony will flower for approximately 7-10 days. You may want to plant other cultivars with staggered bloom times (there are early, mid, and late blooming varieties) to extend your peonies season to up to 6 weeks.

  • ‘Red Emperor’ makes excellent cut flowers with a long vase life (over a week) if cut in the bud. Enjoy a magnificent bouquet of red peonies at home!
  • Reliable and vigorous, this herbaceous Peony grows in a lush, bushy mound of glossy, dark green, divided foliage reaching up to 32 in. in height (80 cm) and 24-30 in. in spread (60-75 cm). The foliage remains attractive throughout summer until frost and often colors up in the fall.
  • Enjoys full sun or part shade in rich, fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Peony plants grow best in full sun but will tolerate some light afternoon shade. Provide a sheltered location. Staking may be required as the large peony flowers tend to arch toward the ground and may be driven to the ground by a hard rain.
  • Deer and rabbit resistant but attractive to butterflies!
  • Virtually pest free. Watch for honey fungus and peony wilt.
  • Very useful and adaptable in the garden. Perfect as a specimen plant and in groups for borders and bedscity gardens, or cottage gardens. Ideal for bordering a walk or driveway and as an informal hedge. Plant your peonies away from trees or shrubs as peonies don’t like to compete for food and moisture. The enchanting peony flower combines beautifully with roses, bearded irises, and other perennials in striking color combinations.
  • Low maintenance. Remove spent flowers as they fade, then cut back the plant after the foliage has died down in the fall. Long-lived (peonies may live up to 50 years!), the plants do not need to be divided and can be left undisturbed for years. Peonies do not respond well to transplanting, so choose your planting location carefully.
  • The best time to plant peonies is in early fall, so they will have time to become established in the soil before winter. They do not flower during the first year of planting and may take up to two years to produce their showy, fragrant blooms.
  • All parts of the plant may cause stomach discomfort if consumed.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

Peonies are a classic ingredient of the perennial border and have been in cultivation for over 2000 years. Beloved for their abundant blooms, the beauty of their exquisite flowers, their delightful fragrance, and their bold foliage changing shades over the seasons, peony flowers add a dazzling splash of color in the late spring and early summer garden. Virtually carefree once established, they live for generations, are deer proof, and produce some of the best cut flowers – making them one of Nature’s loveliest perennials! Peony bouquets are a favorite of florists and many brides-to-be. Why not enjoy a peony bouquet at home? 

Peonies: How to Grow and Care with Success

Beloved for the beauty of their exquisite flowers and their handsome foliage, which often turn shades of rust and orange in the fall, Peonies require little maintenance as long as they are planted properly and establish themselves.


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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials, Shrubs
Plant Family Paeoniaceae
Genus Paeonia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 30"
(60cm - 80cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Paeonia Lactiflora 'Minnie Shaylor', Peony 'Minnie Shaylor', 'Minnie Shaylor' Peony, Chinese Peony 'Minnie Shaylor' , Common Garden Peony 'Minnie Shaylor', White Peonies, White Flowers, Fragrant Peonies
Paeonia tenuifolia,Fernleaf Peony, Fennel-Leaved Peony, Slender-Leaved Peony, Paeonia carthalinica, Paeonia hybrida, Red Peonies, Red flowers, Red Peony
Paeonia Lactiflora 'Pillow Talk', Peony 'Pillow Talk', 'Pillow Talk' Peony, Chinese Peony 'Pillow Talk' , Common Garden Peony 'Pillow Talk', Pink Peonies, Pink Flowers, Fragrant Peonies
Paeonia 'Lemon Chiffon', Peony 'Lemon Chiffon', 'Lemon Chiffon' Peony, Chinese Peony 'Lemon Chiffon', Common Garden Peony 'Lemon Chiffon', Yellow Peonies, Yellow flowers, Hybrid Peony
Paeonia Lactiflora 'Moonstone' , Peony Moonstone, Moonstone Peony, Chinese Peony Moonstone, Common Garden Peony Moonstone, Pink Peonies, Pink flowers, Fragrant PeoniesAward General
Paeonia Lactiflora 'Cheddar Charm', Peony 'Cheddar Charm', 'Cheddar Charm' Peony, Chinese Peony 'Cheddar Charm', Common Garden Peony 'Cheddar Charm', White Peonies, White flowers, Pink Peonies, Pink flowers, Fr

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Lupinus 'The Governor', Lupine 'The Governor', Lupin 'The Governor', Band of Noble Series, Russel Hybrids, Bicolor flowers, Blue flowersAGM Award
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials, Shrubs
Plant Family Paeoniaceae
Genus Paeonia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 30"
(60cm - 80cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Paeonia
Guides with
Paeonia
Not sure which Paeonia to pick?
Compare Now

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