Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Paeonia lactiflora 'Mischief'
Mischief Peony
- Height
- 24–30 inches tall
- Width
- 18–24 inches wide
- Flower color
- Pink, single bowl-shaped, fragrant
- Foliage color
- Deep to medium glossy green
- Bloom time
- Late spring to mid-summer
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low, remove spent blooms, cut foliage to ground after frost, mulch for winter; sturdy stems may benefit from staking or support in heavy bloom
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4–8
- Wildlife
- Highly appealing to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators; generally deer- and rabbit-resistant
About this plant
Paeonia lactiflora 'Mischief' bears elegant single blossoms in pink with bright yellow, pollen-rich stamens at their heart. It blooms in late spring to early summer, offering delicate flowers atop upright, gray-green stems that seldom require staking. The petals are subtly fragrant, each bloom opening with airy simplicity and later forming seed pods that add visual interest post-bloom.
'Mischief' is a classic heirloom in herbaceous peony collections. It forms a refined, clump-forming habit and is praised for its reliability and graceful production. Known to be deer-resistant, it performs well both as an ornamental garden specimen and as a cut flower, with blooms held aloft on strong stems that remain fresh and upright when arranged.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens
Companion plants
Lady's mantle · Hellebores · Hardy geraniums · Hostas · Ferns · Astilbes
Design tip
The long summer show pairs well with plants that peak earlier, keeping one area interesting for months. 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 Brooks Gardens Peonies.
