The ‘Cora Stubbs’ peony is a popular and attractive garden plant, cherished for its abundant blooms and appealing form. Its beauty and straightforward care make it a favored choice for enhancing outdoor spaces. This herbaceous perennial offers abundant blooms and an appealing form.
Distinctive Features of Cora Stubbs
The ‘Cora Stubbs’ peony (Paeonia lactiflora) presents a unique Japanese-style flower form. Its large blossoms feature an outer ring of raspberry-pink petals, encircling a densely packed center of creamy-white and pale pink staminodes. As the flowers mature, the central petaloids become more distinctly pink. This mid-season bloomer flowers heavily in late spring to early summer, with each bloom lasting 7-10 days.
The plant produces a fragrance, adding to its sensory appeal. ‘Cora Stubbs’ grows into glossy, mid-green, divided foliage, reaching 32 inches (80 cm) tall and spreading 24-36 inches (60-90 cm). Its stems are sturdy enough to support the large blooms without staking, contributing to its low-maintenance reputation. The foliage remains attractive throughout the summer and develops bronze or purple tones in the fall, offering multi-season interest.
Planting and Site Selection
Proper timing and site selection are key for establishing ‘Cora Stubbs’ peonies. Plant in early fall, allowing roots to establish before winter. Peonies are long-lived and do not transplant well, so choose a permanent location.
‘Cora Stubbs’ peonies flourish in full sun, needing at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. They tolerate some light afternoon shade. The soil should be well-draining, rich in organic matter, and have a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Prepare the planting site by amending the soil with compost to enhance fertility and drainage. For bare-root plants, dig a hole 12-18 inches deep.
Correct planting depth is important for bloom production; the “eyes,” or growing nodes, near the base of the old stem should be positioned no more than 1-2 inches below the soil surface. If planted too deeply, the peony may not bloom. Space plants three to four feet apart (90-120 cm) to ensure adequate air circulation, which helps prevent disease. New plantings do not flower in their first year and can take up to two years to produce their blooms.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Once established, ‘Cora Stubbs’ peonies require consistent care for healthy growth and abundant flowering. During dry periods, an inch of water per week maintains adequate soil moisture. Avoid overwatering, as excessive moisture can lead to root rot. Water thoroughly before spring buds expand and again before blooming to support plant development.
Fertilize after the plant has been established for a few years. A balanced slow-release fertilizer, such as a 5-10-10 blend, applied in early spring as new shoots emerge, promotes healthy growth and flowering. Apply fertilizer a few inches away from the plant’s stem, near the drip line, to prevent root burn, then water thoroughly. Organic options like composted manure or bone meal enrich the soil.
While ‘Cora Stubbs’ has sturdy stems, staking may be needed if large flowers become heavy with rain. Deadheading, the removal of spent blooms, redirects the plant’s energy from seed production to strengthening its root system and foliage. To deadhead, cut the faded flower stem back to the first set of strong, healthy leaves. In the fall, after foliage dies back, cut stems to ground level and remove plant debris to prevent overwintering pests and diseases.
Addressing Common Problems
Peonies are resilient, but they can encounter common issues. A lack of blooms is a common concern. This can occur if the peony is planted too deeply, inhibiting flower development. Immature plants may not bloom in their first year or two, as they focus energy on root establishment. Insufficient sunlight, less than six hours daily, can lead to sparse flowering.
Ants are observed on peony buds, attracted to sugary nectar, but they are harmless to the plant. Other insect pests include thrips, which damage plants by sucking juices, and scale insects. Good garden hygiene and monitoring manage these issues.
Fungal diseases, such as Botrytis blight (gray mold or peony wilt), are common, especially in cool, wet conditions. Symptoms include brown or black spots on leaves and stems, wilting, and buds that fail to open. Prevent these diseases by ensuring good air circulation with adequate spacing and promptly removing affected foliage. Fall cleanup of all plant debris reduces overwintering disease spores.