Itoh Peony 'Hillary'

CHF 64.95

Itoh Peony 'Hillary'

Name: Itoh Peony 'Hillary'
Brand: Paeonia
Price: 64.95 CHF
Availability: OutOfStock

Paeonia 'Hillary'

CHF 64.95

Itoh peony, flowers up to 20 cm
Colour change from pink to cream, dark centre remains
Lightly scented, flowers in May and June
Sturdy shoots, about 70–90 cm tall
Award of Landscape Merit of the American Peony Society

'Hillary' is an award-winning Itoh peony with semi-double flowers up to 20 cm. They open in strong pink and lighten to cream over time, while the centre keeps its colour. The sturdy shoots carry the flowers without support.

About this variety

A single 'Hillary' plant shows several colours at once. Freshly opened flowers glow rich pink, older ones fade to cream tones. Dark red blotches at the base of the petals remain, and golden-yellow stamens bring light to the centre. The semi-double flowers reach up to 20 cm and are lightly scented.

The plant grows to about 70–90 cm, and its strong shoots hold the flowers upright. In spring the foliage emerges reddish and colours again in autumn. A sunny to partially shaded, sheltered spot in a border or at a woodland edge is ideal. Good partners are heuchera, blue hardy geranium or ornamental grasses. It can also stand in a large container, but in the long term it is happier in the garden.

Mature plants are covered in flowers that open one after another, giving a long flowering season. 'Hillary' is also well suited as a cut flower. It is not very attractive to bees. The American Peony Society honoured it with the Award of Landscape Merit.

Planting

Plant in autumn from September to November or as a pot-grown plant in spring. Set the graft union about 10 cm deep. The spacing is 70–90 cm. Choose a sunny to partially shaded spot sheltered from strong wind, with moist soil.

Care

Water in dry periods and avoid waterlogging; in a large container it needs water more regularly. Feed in spring with compost or organic fertiliser. Support is usually not needed, but does no harm in heavy rain. Do not move the Itoh peony. It is hardy, even at higher altitudes.

Specifications

Botanical name: Paeonia 'Hillary'
Genus: Peony
Class: Itoh
Flower colour: Pink
Flower size: 20 cm
Fragrant: Yes
Fragrance strength: Light
Flowering time: May, June
Flowering season: Late spring, Early summer
Foliage colour: Dark green
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 90 cm
Habit: Bushy, Clump-forming
Position: Sun, Partial shade
Suitable for: Bed, Wildlife garden and meadow, Woodland edge, Cutting garden
Soil type: Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Drainage: Well-drained
Soil moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil note: Suitable for many Swiss garden soils. A loose structure and good drainage matter more than a particular soil type.
Planting time: February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November
Planting depth: Graft union about 10 cm deep
Spacing: 70–90 cm
Number per m²: 2
Hardiness in Switzerland: Hardy in Switzerland
Hardiness by location: Hardy, also at higher altitudes
Hardiness zone (USDA): 3–8
Overwintering note: Generally hardy in garden soil in Switzerland. At high, windy sites and in containers, plan extra winter protection and avoid winter wet.
For containers: Only partly suitable for containers
Container note: Only recommended in a sufficiently large, stable, well-drained container.
Cut flower: Suitable as a cut flower
Naturalising: Not suitable
Naturalising note: Persists for several years in a suitable spot, but does not normally spread over larger areas on its own.
For bees and butterflies: Not attractive to pollinators
Toxicity: Contact with the plant can irritate the skin. Wear gloves when planting and do not eat.
RHS hardiness: H6