The ‘Touch of Class’ peony is a highly sought-after perennial, known for its remarkable beauty and robust growth. This herbaceous lactiflora variety consistently produces large, fragrant, double blooms that showcase a captivating blend of pink and cream. Its substantial flowers and healthy foliage add significant ornamental value to any garden space.
Planting Your Peony
Successful establishment of a ‘Touch of Class’ peony begins with careful site selection. Choose a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, as ample light encourages prolific blooming. Good air circulation around the plant is also beneficial, helping to prevent potential disease issues.
Prepare the soil by ensuring it is well-draining, fertile, and has a neutral to slightly acidic pH. If your soil is heavy clay or very sandy, amend it with organic matter like compost to improve drainage and nutrient content. Dig a hole wide enough to accommodate the roots comfortably, loosening the soil at the bottom.
The most important step for future blooms is planting depth; the “eyes,” or growth buds, on the peony root should be no more than 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface. Planting too deeply is a common reason peonies fail to flower. After placing the root, backfill the hole, gently firming the soil to remove air pockets, then water thoroughly.
Peonies are long-lived plants, often thriving for 50 to 70 years, so proper initial planting ensures decades of enjoyment. The ideal time to plant ‘Touch of Class’ peonies is in the fall, allowing the roots to establish before winter. Provide adequate spacing, typically about 3 feet between plants, to ensure good air circulation as they mature.
Ongoing Care for Thriving Blooms
Watering Needs
Consistent moisture is important for ‘Touch of Class’ peonies, particularly during dry periods and as flower buds develop. While they appreciate regular watering, it is crucial to avoid overwatering, which can lead to root issues. Deep, infrequent watering is generally preferred, encouraging roots to grow deeper into the soil.
Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent the roots from sitting in saturated conditions. Newly planted peonies require more attentive watering to establish their root systems. Once established, they exhibit some drought tolerance but will perform best with supplemental water during extended dry spells.
Fertilization Tips
‘Touch of Class’ peonies are not heavy feeders and often thrive without extensive fertilization in rich soil. If your soil is less fertile, a light application of a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer can be beneficial in early spring. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as these can promote lush foliage growth at the expense of flower production.
Apply fertilizer sparingly around the drip line of the plant, avoiding direct contact with the crown or stems. Over-fertilization can harm the plant and reduce blooming. A single application in spring is usually sufficient for the growing season.
Support and Deadheading
Mature ‘Touch of Class’ peonies often benefit from support due to their large, heavy blooms that can cause stems to bend or fall over. Using a peony ring or stakes early in the growing season provides the necessary structural support as the plant grows and its flowers develop. Install supports when the plant is about 6 to 12 inches tall to allow the foliage to grow up through them naturally.
Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, can improve the plant’s appearance and direct the plant’s energy towards root development rather than seed production. While not strictly necessary for the plant’s health, it can enhance the overall aesthetic of the garden. Simply snip off the faded blooms just above the first strong leaf.
Enjoying ‘Touch of Class’ Blooms
The ‘Touch of Class’ peony produces large, double flowers, typically 6 inches across. The outer guard petals are a soft salmon-pink, while the densely packed inner petaloids begin as a creamy yellow and mature to a rich cream-salmon hue. This striking color combination gives the blooms a dynamic and elegant appearance.
They are also known for their pleasing fragrance. These are mid-season bloomers, typically gracing the garden from late spring to early summer. Each sturdy stem can produce multiple buds, ensuring a prolonged display of flowers.
Their substantial blooms and strong stems make ‘Touch of Class’ an excellent choice for cut flowers. When harvesting for vases, cut the stems when the buds are still relatively tight but have started to show color, feeling soft to the touch. Placing them in water immediately after cutting helps to prolong their vase life.
Troubleshooting Common Peony Issues
Why Your Peony Might Not Bloom
A common concern for gardeners is a peony that produces foliage but no flowers. Insufficient sunlight (less than six hours daily) can also lead to a lack of blooms. Young plants may take a few years to establish and consistently bloom, so patience is often needed.
Recent transplanting can cause a temporary cessation of flowering as the plant focuses on re-establishing its root system. Environmental factors such as late spring frosts can damage emerging flower buds, preventing them from opening.
Dealing with Pests and Diseases
Peonies are relatively resilient plants, but they can encounter some common issues. Ants are frequently seen on peony buds, attracted to the sweet, sticky nectar they exude, but these insects are harmless and do not damage the plant or its flowers.
Botrytis blight, a fungal disease, is the most common ailment, especially during cool, wet weather. Symptoms include young shoots rotting at ground level, buds turning black and withering, or larger buds failing to open. Promptly remove and destroy any infected plant parts, including fallen leaves and debris, to reduce fungal spores. Good air circulation helps prevent this.