What Makes Athena Peony Unique?
The ‘Athena’ peony is an early bloomer, often appearing before many other varieties. Its single flower form features creamy-white petals with distinctive raspberry flares, sometimes appearing as pink or purple-red. The bloom’s center showcases prominent golden-yellow stamens. This cultivar is a quadruple hybrid, tracing its lineage back to Paeonia lactiflora, Paeonia macrophylla, Paeonia mlokosewitschii, and Paeonia officinalis.
Unlike many fragrant types, ‘Athena’ is unscented. Young plants may display coppery tones in their emerging foliage, which gradually mature to green. This peony thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8. ‘Athena’ peonies are valued as cut flowers and can serve in mixed borders, dedicated beds, or as a striking specimen plant.
Planting Your Athena Peony
Planting ‘Athena’ peony requires careful site selection, as these long-lived plants dislike being moved. The optimal time for planting is early fall, allowing roots to establish before winter. A location with full sun to partial shade supports healthy growth and abundant flowering. Well-drained soil is important, including chalk, clay, loam, or sandy compositions. The soil pH should range between 5.5 and 7.5.
While ‘Athena’ peonies appreciate consistent moisture, the soil should never become waterlogged. When preparing the planting site, dig a hole approximately 30 centimeters deep. Amending the soil with compost or a balanced fertilizer at planting time is beneficial. Plant ‘Athena’ peonies away from competing tree and shrub roots, as these can hinder development by drawing away essential nutrients and moisture.
Ongoing Care for Athena Peony
Once established, the ‘Athena’ peony is a low-maintenance garden addition. Removing spent flowers, or deadheading, helps maintain tidiness and redirects energy towards root development rather than seed production. In fall, after foliage yellows or dies back, cut stems down to a few inches above the ground. This prevents overwintering diseases.
Mature ‘Athena’ peonies, especially those with many blooms, may benefit from staking to support stems and prevent flopping, particularly after heavy rains. Regular watering is important during dry spells. For feeding, ‘Athena’ peonies benefit from a balanced water-soluble fertilizer, a slow-release granular product, or organic amendments. Apply fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges to support robust flowering.
Protecting Your Athena Peony
While ‘Athena’ peonies are generally resilient and virtually pest-free, they can occasionally encounter issues. Potential concerns include honey fungus, which affects roots, and peony wilt, causing stems to blacken and collapse. Other problems are leaf and bud eelworm, distorting growth, and swift moth caterpillars, which feed on roots. Viruses can also affect peonies, appearing as mottled or distorted foliage.
Fungal diseases like Verticillium wilt and peony leaf blotch can also occur, affecting leaves and stems. To minimize disease risk, ensure proper spacing between plants for good air circulation. Water plants at the base, rather than overhead, to keep foliage dry and reduce fungal spore spread. Maintaining good garden sanitation, such as promptly removing diseased plant material, contributes to the overall health of ‘Athena’ peonies.