‘Madame de Verneville’ is a classic and highly regarded peony, celebrated for its beauty and delightful fragrance. This heirloom plant has graced gardens for over a century, remaining a popular choice for its dependable blooms and timeless appeal.
Key Characteristics
‘Madame de Verneville’ produces large, fully double, bomb-form blooms that are creamy white with delicate hints of blush pink, particularly at their center when they first open. As they mature, flowers often transition to pure white, sometimes revealing subtle crimson flecks. This variety is renowned for its strong, sweet, rose-like fragrance.
Blooming mid-season, ‘Madame de Verneville’ offers a reliable display of flowers. The plant reaches 30 to 36 inches tall and spreads 24 to 36 inches, forming an upright mound of dark green foliage. Introduced in 1885 by French breeder Crousse, its enduring charm has secured its place as a cherished heirloom cultivar.
Planting ‘Madame de Verneville’ Peony
‘Madame de Verneville’ peonies thrive in full sun, needing at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for abundant blooms. While they tolerate light shade, flowering may be reduced. Well-drained soil is necessary, as peonies do not perform well in waterlogged conditions.
Before planting, dig a 12 to 18-inch deep and 12-inch wide hole. Amend the soil with organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage. Proper planting depth is crucial: the “eyes” (growth buds) on the bare root should be no more than 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface. Planting too deeply hinders flowering.
Space peony plants 3 to 4 feet apart for good air circulation, which helps prevent disease. The optimal time for planting bare-root ‘Madame de Verneville’ peonies is fall, typically late September to October, about six weeks before the ground freezes. This allows roots to establish before spring growth, contributing to stronger plants and better flowering.
Ongoing Care for ‘Madame de Verneville’ Peony
During dry periods, especially for young plants, periodic deep watering is beneficial, aiming for about 1 inch of moisture per week. Watering deeply once a week is more effective than shallow daily watering. Water at the base to keep foliage dry, reducing the risk of fungal issues.
Peonies require minimal fertilization. Too much nitrogen can promote lush foliage at the expense of flower production. If needed, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the fall after the leaves begin to fade.
Due to their large, heavy blooms, ‘Madame de Verneville’ peonies often benefit from support to prevent stems from flopping, especially after rain or strong winds. Install supports, such as full-circle metal supports, early in the season before shoots emerge. Deadheading spent flowers after blooming can redirect the plant’s energy into root development rather than seed production, though the foliage should be left intact throughout the growing season.
In the fall, after the first hard frost causes foliage to yellow and wilt, cut stems back to the ground. This removes potential overwintering sites for diseases. In colder climates, apply a light layer of mulch, such as pine needles or shredded bark, loosely over newly planted peonies for their first winter after the ground has frozen, removing it in early spring.
Addressing Common Challenges
Lack of blooms can stem from several factors. These include planting too deeply (eyes more than 2 inches below the surface), insufficient sunlight (less than six hours daily), an immature plant needing a few years to establish, or excessive nitrogen fertilizer promoting foliage over flowers.
Peonies can be susceptible to botrytis blight, a fungal disease. Symptoms include young shoots rotting at ground level, buds turning black or brown and failing to open, and gray mold. To manage botrytis, ensure good air circulation by spacing plants adequately and remove all old foliage and stalks in the fall to eliminate overwintering spores.
Ants are frequently observed on peony buds, but their presence is harmless. They are attracted to the sweet nectar secreted by the buds and do not damage the plant or its flowers. ‘Madame de Verneville’ is noted for its disease resistance and tolerance to deer and rabbits once established.