Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Paeonia × lactiflora 'Cytherea'
Cytherea Peony
- Height
- 24–30 inches tall
- Width
- 24–36 inches wide
- Flower color
- Cherry-rose semi-double blooms that age to pale peach-pink
- Foliage color
- Glossy medium green, divided foliage
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low, remove spent blossoms and cut foliage to ground after frost; sturdy stems often don’t require staking
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4–8
- Wildlife
- Attracts butterflies and other pollinators; deer- and rabbit-resistant
About this plant
Paeonia × lactiflora 'Cytherea' produces semi-double, coral-rose blossoms in mid- to late spring, that soften to a peachy-pink as they mature. The bowl-shaped flowers feature a golden cluster of stamens at the center, adding warmth to the display. Their fragrance and strong stems make them well suited for cutting, while the plant's glossy, dark green foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season.
Originating in the mid-20th century, 'Cytherea's name references the Greek island of Cythera, traditionally associated with the goddess of love and beauty. This cultivar is a recipient of the American Peony Society's Gold Medal, a testament to its reliable performance and ornamental value. 'Cytherea' returns each spring with a strong flush of blooms and maintains a tidy, appealing form throughout the summer months.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens
Companion plants
Hellebores · Hardy geraniums · Hostas · Ferns · Astilbes · Foxgloves
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at Peonies at Glencoe Farms.
