Alice Harding Peony
Are you hunting for a unique plant that can boost the elegance of your garden? Meet Alice Harding peony, a striking lutea hybrid tree peony known for its delicate coloring and heady fragrance.
This blog will walk you through every detail about this magnificent bloom – from its visual appeal to how to take proper care of it. So let’s dive in and discover why Alice Harding Peony deserves a spot in your garden space!
Key Takeaways
- Alice Harding Peony is a medium – height peony known for its striking yellow flowers, delicate coloring, and sweet fragrance.
- It is a lutea hybrid tree peony with tightly packed petals that hang down gracefully, creating an elegant cascade effect.
- To ensure healthy growth, plant it in well – drained soil, provide full sun to partial shade, water regularly but not excessively, and prune after blooming season.
Description of Alice Harding Peony
The Alice Harding Peony is a medium-height peony known for its fairly floriferous nature and refined form and texture. Its delicate coloring and sweet fragrance make it a delightful addition to any garden.
Medium height
The Alice Harding Peony stands proud at a medium height, typically reaching 24 to 28 inches tall. This stature sets it apart from shorter ground-hugging peonies, offering gardeners a visually delightful mid-level layer of blooms in springtime displays.
Not too towering nor too timidly short, its size makes it an ideal plant for both front row and middle-tier positions in flower beds or borders. The good stems and foliage provide a sturdy foundation for the floriferous spectacle that bursts forth in mid-spring.
With such balance between height and bloom, this peony variety effortlessly injects elegance into any landscape design scheme.
Fairly floriferous
Alice Harding Peony lives up to its “fairly floriferous” tag, producing a generous amount of vibrant yellow flowers. This peony variety features closely packed petals that form full semi-double blossoms, demonstrating the plant’s floral abundance.
These beautiful blooms not only enhance gardens but can also serve as stunning indoor arrangements.
Coupled with its impressive flower output, Alice Harding Peony also boasts an exceptional bloom longevity. Each individual flower lasts for weeks before it drops its petals, providing you with long-lasting beauty in your garden or landscape.
The high production and lasting power make this peony the perfect choice for those who desire a constant spectacle of stunning blooms.
Refined form and texture
The Alice Harding Peony captivates garden enthusiasts with its refined form and texture. This peony variety stands out with full semi-double flowers that exhibit a ruffled look, thanks to the tightly packed petals.
The intricate detail of the small red flares adds depth to the lightly textured blossom surface. This exquisite form and rich texture ensure that every bloom is an individual masterpiece in itself, transforming your garden into a vibrant artwork display during blooming season.
Delicate coloring
The Alice Harding Peony is known for its sublimely elegant and delicate coloring. With blush pink guard petals and a creamy center, the flowers of this peony can be white or pale pink with pink tinged guard petals.
Its delicate coloring is highly appreciated for its beauty and adds to the overall allure of this stunning flower. In fact, Monsieur Lemoine introduced the color yellow into cultivated double-flowered tree-peonies, making them even more captivating.
Sweet fragrance
The sweet fragrance of the Alice Harding Peony is one of its most beloved features. This flower emits a strong, sweet scent that is often compared to the refreshing aroma of lemons.
The enchanting fragrance fills the air and adds an extra layer of beauty to any garden or bouquet. When in bloom, the Alice Harding Peony becomes a sensory delight, captivating not only with its stunning appearance but also with its delightful perfume.
Characteristics of Alice Harding Peony
The Alice Harding Peony features yellow, full semi-double flowers with tightly packed petals that hang down. It is a lutea hybrid tree peony with small red flares adding to its unique beauty.
Yellow, full semi-double flowers
The Alice Harding Peony is known for its vibrant yellow, full semi-double flowers. These stunning blooms have tightly packed petals that hang down gracefully. They add a cheerful touch to any garden or floral arrangement.
As one of the standout features of this peony variety, these beautiful flowers are sure to catch the eye and bring a burst of color to your outdoor space.
Tightly packed petals that hang down
The Alice Harding Peony is known for its unique floral feature: tightly packed petals that gracefully hang down. These petals create a mesmerizing cascade effect, adding elegance and charm to any garden.
With their delicate coloring and sweet fragrance, these hanging petals make the Alice Harding Peony a standout choice for flower enthusiasts looking to add a touch of beauty and grace to their landscape.
Lutea hybrid tree peony
The Lutea hybrid tree peony is a type of peony that encompasses the characteristics of the Alice Harding Peony. These peonies are known for their garden vigor and are 30 inches tall.
They have stunning yellow, full semi-double flowers with tightly packed petals that hang down. A distinctive feature of these peonies is the small red flares at the base of each petal.
The Lutea hybrid tree peony brings a touch of elegance and beauty to any garden or landscape setting.
Small red flares
The Alice Harding Peony boasts a subtle yet captivating feature – small red flares on its petals. While these flares may not be immediately noticeable, they add a touch of intrigue to the delicate coloring of the flower.
The lightly ruffled and crinkled petals of this peony variety help to soften the appearance of the red flares, creating an enchanting visual display. Whether showcased in a bouquet or growing in your garden, the small red flares add an element of charm and uniqueness to the already stunning Alice Harding Peony.
Growing and Care Tips for Alice Harding Peony
Plant Alice Harding Peony in well-drained soil, provide full sun to partial shade, water regularly, and prune after blooming season for stunning results. Discover the secrets to nurturing this delightful flower!
Plant in well-drained soil
To ensure the healthy growth and longevity of your Alice Harding peony, it is crucial to plant it in well-drained soil. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot and fungal diseases that can harm the plant.
Peonies, including the Alice Harding variety, thrive in deep, fertile soil that is rich in humus. They prefer neutral to slightly alkaline soil with medium moisture levels. By providing your peony with the right growing conditions, such as well-drained soil, you can enjoy its beautiful flowers and fragrance for years to come.
Provide full sun to partial shade
For the Alice Harding Peony to thrive, it requires full sun to partial shade. This means that in cooler climates, it will do best with at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. On the other hand, in warmer regions, it prefers some shade to protect it from the intense heat.
By providing the right amount of sunlight, you are ensuring optimal growth and blooming for this beautiful peony variety. Remember that while these peonies can tolerate frost and drought conditions, they still need an appropriate balance of sunlight throughout the day.
Water regularly
To keep your Alice Harding Peony healthy and thriving, it’s important to water it regularly. This peony variety requires abundant moisture during the early part of the growing season.
Normal watering for the Alice Harding Peony means keeping the soil evenly moist and watering on a regular basis. Deep watering once every 10 to 14 days is recommended, ensuring that the roots get enough hydration.
However, do keep in mind that the Tree Peony Alice Harding requires very little water compared to other varieties. So remember to strike a balance and provide just enough moisture for this beautiful flower to flourish.
Prune after blooming season
Pruning is an essential task to maintain the health and appearance of your Alice Harding Peony. After the blooming season, which typically occurs in late spring to early summer, it’s important to prune the plant.
Pruning promotes healthy growth and prevents the onset of diseases. During pruning, remove any dead or damaged foliage and stems. This helps maintain the plant’s shape and size as well.
Remember, it’s best to perform this task in late summer to early fall for optimal results. So grab your gardening shears and get ready to give your Alice Harding Peony some post-bloom care!
Where to Find Alice Harding Peony
To get your hands on the stunning Alice Harding Peony, consider joining the American Peony Society for access to a wide variety of peonies. You can also check nurseries and online shops, such as Cricket Hill Garden or Solaris Farms, or explore the Peony Registry for more options.
Happy hunting!
Join the American Peony Society
The American Peony Society is the go-to organization for peony enthusiasts. By joining the society, you can connect with others who share your love for these beautiful flowers. Plus, being a member gives you access to valuable resources and information about all things peonies.
And if you’re on the hunt for the elusive Alice Harding Peony, the society may be able to assist you in your search. They are associated with finding this lost gem of a flower and even offer major awards related to it.
So why wait? Join the American Peony Society today and dive into a world of peony knowledge and community.
Check nurseries and online shops
Check nurseries and online shops for the Alice Harding peony to add a touch of elegance to your garden. Adelman Peony Gardens, one of the first nurseries in the USA to sell true-to-name peony varieties, carries over 200 different types of peonies, including the sought-after Alice Harding variety.
With their commitment to producing high-quality plants with beautiful blooms, you can trust that you’ll receive a healthy and vibrant Alice Harding peony from them. If you prefer shopping online, consider checking out Cricket Hill Garden or Solaris Farms.
Also, don’t forget to explore the Peony Registry for additional options and finding reputable sources for this stunning yellow fragrant hybrid tree peony.
Consider Cricket Hill Garden or Solaris Farms
Cricket Hill Garden and Solaris Farms are two excellent options to consider when searching for the beautiful Alice Harding Peony. These reputable nurseries offer a wide variety of peonies, including the Alice Harding variety.
With their expertise and dedication to quality, you can trust that you will find healthy and thriving plants at either Cricket Hill Garden or Solaris Farms. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to add this stunning peony to your garden by exploring these fantastic sources.
Explore the Peony Registry
The Peony Registry is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to explore and discover the Alice Harding Peony and other beautiful peony varieties. With their vast collection, they can help you select the perfect peony that matches your preferences and needs.
Not only will you find information on where to find the Alice Harding Peony, but you’ll also uncover a wealth of knowledge about other stunning peonies. Take advantage of this fantastic tool and delve into the world of peonies through the Peony Registry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Alice Harding Peony is a stunning lutea hybrid tree peony that will surely make a statement in any garden. With its vibrant yellow flowers, delicate coloring, and sweet fragrance, it’s no wonder why this peony is so highly sought after.
By following the proper growing and care tips, you can enjoy the beauty of Alice Harding Peony year after year. So go ahead and add this exquisite peony to your collection, you won’t be disappointed!
FAQs
1. What is an Alice Harding Peony?
A: Alice Harding Peony is a specific variety of peony flower known for its large, fragrant blooms and stunning pink color. It is highly sought after by gardeners and flower enthusiasts.
2. How do I care for Alice Harding Peonies?
A: To care for Alice Harding Peonies, plant them in well-draining soil in a location that receives full sun or partial shade. Water them regularly, especially during dry spells, and fertilize them with a balanced fertilizer in the spring. Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
3. When do Alice Harding Peonies bloom?
A: Alice Harding Peonies typically bloom in late spring or early summer, depending on your climate. The exact timing may vary slightly depending on factors such as temperature and growing conditions.
4. Can I grow Alice Harding Peonies from seeds?
A: While it is possible to grow peonies from seeds, including Alice Harding Peonies, it can be a lengthy process and may not guarantee true-to-type plants. It is often recommended to propagate peonies through division of established plants for more reliable results.
5. Where can one plant the Alice Harding Peony to enjoy the best view?
A: For a captivating view of this cultivar, a garden spot with full sun to part shade will be ideal. It is an herbaceous perennial that thrives in free-draining soil in full sun. The midseason flowering of the paeonia adds vibrant color to any garden spot.
6. Can you provide additional information on the Paeonia Lactiflora ‘Alice Harding’?
A: Paeonia Lactiflora ‘Alice Harding’ was introduced in 1922 and has been a garden favorite ever since. It’s a double form peony, surrounded by light pink outer petals covering a heart of creamy white. Its green foliage serves as an excellent backdrop to its stunning blooms.
7. How does the ‘Alice Harding’ paeonia transform from bud to bloom?
A: The journey starts with the buds appearing in June. They evolve over midseason into large, double flowers that offer a truly spectacular view, turning this short bush into a garden marvel. Its bloom time is mid to late season flowering.
8. What are the advantages of the erect and dark green leaves of the Alice Harding Peony?
A: The dark green, lance-shaped or elliptic, divided into leaflets offers not only an aesthetic view but also provides valuable nutrients for the plant’s overall health and the development of the petals.
9. How does Alice Harding Peony’s double blossom look like?
A: Alice Harding Peony’s double blossom is quite a sight to behold, with creamy white centers surrounded by light pink outer petals. Their double form adds to the plant’s fullness and enhances its elegant view.
10. How hardy is the Alice Harding Peony?
A: The culturally robust ‘Alice Harding’ Peony is a USDA zone 3-8 herbaceous perennial, that can withstand a wide range of weather conditions.
11. Could you provide additional information on how to care for these plants?
A: These plants need to be left undisturbed for the best blooming results. Post-blooming, they should be cut back and divide in late winter or early spring.
12. Any tips on how to propagate the ‘Alice Harding’ plants in the garden?
A: Dividing the bulb is a good choice. However, this should be done only after several years once established, as plants need time to adapt to their new environment.
13. What should customers know about the dispatch and delivery of Alice Harding Peony?
A: All orders are dispatched directly from our nursery to ensure plant’s wellbeing. Customers can rely on our efficient delivery service and expect the delivery of Alice Harding Peony to be swift and secure.
14. How can further queries on the Alice Harding Peony be addressed?
A: For additional information or queries, customers can contact us via email. We have a team of horticulturalists ready to provide detailed advice on your gardening needs and the Alice Harding Peony.