Command Performance Peony

This striking, cardinal red peony expands to a very large, fragrant flower, especially when opened indoors or sheltered from wind. The massive buds blossom into flowers that may grow up to 9” in diameter, making it one of the largest of all peony varieties.

• Blooms in early July
• Changes from red to dark orange to salmon, then peach to cream to white
• Features a spicy fragrance
• Provides durable cut flowers
• 2/3 Eye Tuber  

Care Instructions:

Fall planting is best. Rootstock buds (eyes) should be planted about 1–2" below the soil surface. Dig a hole 12–18" deep and 12" wide and replace part of the soil in the form of a cone, then spread the roots over it.

Each plant will flower for approximately 7–10 days. Remove spent flowers after bloom, cut foliage to the ground, and remove it from the garden in fall after frost. Peonies are long-lived and can be left undisturbed for years. Cover root areas with mulch in winter, especially in climates where snow cover is minimal.

In most of the country, the rules for success are simply full sun and well-drained soil. Peonies even relish cold winters, because they need chilling for bud formation. In zones 9-10 they are harder to grow. They are not fussy, but choose your location wisely so that they can be left alone once planted.

The plants require little maintenance as long as they are planted properly and establish themselves; they don't respond well to transplanting. Unlike most perennials, they thrive on benign neglect as they do not need to be dug and divided.