Plant, Tree & Shrub Library

Other Names:  Itoh Peony

Group/Class:  Itoh Hybrids

Description:

Large semi to double blooms up to six inches across held on strong stems above luxurious foliage; dark lavender petals fade to soft pink revealing yellow stamens; prefers sun

Ornamental Features

Itoh Keiko Peony features bold lightly-scented lavender flowers with pink overtones and yellow eyes at the ends of the stems in mid spring. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its compound leaves remain green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Itoh Keiko Peony is an herbaceous perennial with a more or less rounded form. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Disease

Itoh Keiko Peony is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Itoh Keiko Peony will grow to be about 30 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 26 inches apart. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.