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Key characteristics

Height: 24–36 inches
Width: 24–36 inches
Flower color: Bright red, double blooms with rich, warm tones
Foliage color: Glossy medium to dark green
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Light: Full sun to light shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low, cut back foliage after frost; remove spent blooms; strong, upright stems
Growing zone: USDA zones 3–8
Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and other pollinators; good deer and rabbit resistance; excellent for cut‑flower use

Perennials

Paeonia lactiflora 'Many Happy Returns'

Many Happy Returns Peony

Paeonia lactiflora 'Many Happy Returns' has lush, double blossoms in a warm, rich red that retains its intensity even under bright sun. The flowers emerge in late spring and range from anemone to bomb form, filled with a dense center and edged guard petals. The large blooms typically last around a week, offering excellent longevity in both garden beds and vase arrangements, with a subtle fragrance enhancing their presence.

Light

Full sun to light shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Sun Gardens
Pollinator Gardens
Cut Flower Gardens

Companion plants

Black-eyed Susans · Daylilies · Lavender · Coreopsis · Russian sage · Sedums

Design tip

The long summer show pairs well with plants that peak earlier, keeping one area interesting for months. Give it open sun and room to fill out, and repeat it in threes or fives so the planting reads as one sweep instead of scattered dots.