Castlegar Peony

'Illini Warrior' © Photo: L. Doell

For over 2000 years, peonies have been cultivated for medicinal and ornamental qualities.

Peonies are:

• long lived - often lasting over 50 years.
• very hardy - most of them hardy to Zone 3.
• drought tolerant, low maintenance.
  
• deer-resistant.
• long blooming: depending on the selection,

          the peony bloom season can last 6 - 8 weeks

Peonies come in a range of colours including white, blush, pink, magenta, red, yellow, coral, peach and lavender. They enjoy lush foliage all summer, and the colourful seed heads provide lasting interest. Blooms may be single form, semi-double, double, anemone or Japanese.  Fragrance is a quality of most peonies: their scent is classified as rose, lemon,
honey or musk.                                                       Information adapted from 'Canadian Peony Society' website.