The ‘Eden’s Perfume’ peony is a celebrated garden plant, admired for its striking beauty and strong, sweet fragrance. This herbaceous perennial offers large, silken blooms that emerge in late spring or early summer. Its enduring nature and relatively low maintenance once established make it a favored choice for gardeners.
Distinctive Features
‘Eden’s Perfume’ is renowned for its fully double, rose-pink blossoms, which can reach an impressive diameter of up to 7 inches. These flowers often feature a creamy, lighter pink collar at their base. The plant typically grows to a mature height of 24 to 30 inches, with a similar spread, forming a compact bush. Its dark green, divided foliage provides an attractive backdrop throughout the growing season, even after the blooms have faded.
The most celebrated characteristic of ‘Eden’s Perfume’ is its powerful and sweet fragrance, often described as resembling that of a Damask Rose. Some also note a pleasant spicy quality to its scent. This strong aroma fills the air, particularly in mid to late spring or early summer, when the plant is in full bloom. Its robust stems help support the large, heavy flowers, making them suitable for cutting and enjoying indoors.
Planting Guidelines
Proper site selection is important for ‘Eden’s Perfume’ peonies. These plants flourish in full sun, requiring a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily to produce abundant blooms. In warmer climates, providing some afternoon shade can help extend the life of the flowers. Peonies prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
Before planting, enriching the soil with compost or well-rotted manure is beneficial, especially if your soil is heavy clay or very sandy. This improves drainage in clay soils and water retention in sandy soils. Position the peony roots so the “eyes”—the pink or white buds—are covered with only one to two inches of soil. Planting too deeply can significantly delay flowering or prevent blooms altogether. Allow adequate spacing of about 30 to 36 inches between plants to ensure good air circulation and room for growth.
Ongoing Care
Consistent moisture is important for ‘Eden’s Perfume’ peonies, especially during dry periods and their establishment phase. Aim for approximately one inch of water per week, provided through rainfall or supplemental irrigation. While they appreciate moisture, ensure the soil is well-drained to prevent root rot. Checking the top inch or two of soil for dryness before watering helps maintain appropriate moisture levels.
Peonies do not require heavy fertilization; an annual application of compost or a balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) in the spring is sufficient. Applying fertilizer after the plant has finished blooming can also be beneficial. Due to their large, heavy blooms, ‘Eden’s Perfume’ peonies may benefit from staking or support systems to prevent stems from flopping over. Installing supports early in the growing season allows the plant to grow into them naturally. Deadheading spent flowers by cutting the stem below the old bloom can help maintain the plant’s appearance and direct energy toward root development, though it does not promote rebloom.
Enjoying Your Peony
The ‘Eden’s Perfume’ peony is prized for its suitability as a cut flower, allowing its exquisite fragrance to be enjoyed indoors. When harvesting blooms, cut them when the buds are in the “marshmallow stage”—soft to the touch and showing some color. Cutting stems in the early morning after the dew has dried helps preserve their freshness. Placing cut stems directly into water immediately after cutting promotes better vase life.
Ants are commonly found on peony buds, drawn to the sugary nectar secreted by the sepals. These ants are not harmful to the plant and are not necessary for the buds to open, dispelling a common misconception. To remove ants from cut flowers, simply tap the stems or gently rinse the blooms in cool water before bringing them inside. Another common concern is botrytis blight, a fungal disease that can cause buds to turn brown and fail to open, particularly during cool, wet spring weather. Ensuring good air circulation and promptly removing any affected plant parts can help manage this issue.