Peonies (gouache style)

Peonies come in three broad kinds. Herbaceous peonies die back to the ground each winter, tree peonies are woody shrubs, and intersectional or Itoh hybrids are crosses between the two. Flowers can be single, semi-double, double, or anemone-centred, and many are richly scented. 'Sarah Bernhardt', a pale pink double, is one of the best known. Ants are often seen on the round buds, and they don't do any harm.

Plant bare-root herbaceous peonies in autumn or early spring, in sun or light shade and fertile, well-drained soil. The pinkish buds, or eyes, should sit no more than about 2.5cm below the surface, since planting too deep is the commonest reason for a peony that won't flower. Put supports in place in spring before the stems get tall. A general feed in spring helps. Deadhead after flowering, and cut the foliage to the ground in autumn. Newly planted peonies can take a year or two to settle.

Large pink and white peonies open here alongside round, tight buds and dark leaves. Having buds and full flowers together shows the short peony season in motion. It's that moment in early summer when the plant is at its most generous, and the dark foliage sets off the paler blooms.