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Key characteristics

Height: 24–42 inches tall
Width: 18–36 inches wide
Flower color: Bright true red, rich scarlet-red double blooms
Foliage color: Glossy medium to dark green
Bloom time: Early to mid-season
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low, remove spent blooms, cut foliage to ground after first frost; strong stems but may require support for larger blossoms
Growing zone: USDA zones 3–8
Wildlife: Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and general pollinators; deer- and rabbit-resistant

Perennials

Paeonia lactiflora 'Diana Parks'

Diana Parks Peony

Paeonia lactiflora 'Diana Parks' bears lush, fully-double, bomb-shaped blooms in a deep true red that maintains its brightness even under strong sunlight. It typically flowers early to mid-season, presenting large blossoms with a single row of guard petals layered over a densely packed center reminiscent of an English rose. The fragrant blooms are supported on tall, sturdy stems that stand firm without requiring staking, while the glossy foliage forms a rich backdrop.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Early to mid-season

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Cottage Gardens
Pollinator Gardens
Cut Flower Gardens

Companion plants

Hellebores · Hardy geraniums · Hostas · Ferns · Astilbes · Foxgloves

Design tip

Foliage and form do most of the work here, so lean on texture and repetition rather than one flowering moment. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.