Duchesse de Lorraine

Availability available mid May

Duchesse de Lorraine
Peony ' Duchess de Lorraine' photo courtesy of Valleybrook Gardens

Itoh Peony 'Duchess de Lorraine' is named for the Lorraine region of France, home of renowned peony breeder Victor Lemoine. This is the first fully double, yellow Itoh with an enticing fragrance as an added bonus. The bomb-type bloom may have as many as 120 petals, far outnumbering even Bartzella

  • Height: 60-70 cm (23-27 in)
  • Spread: 75-90 cm (29-35 in)
  • Cold Hardiness: zone 3
  • Sun or Shade: full sun
  • Bloom Colour: fully double yellow
  • Bloom Time: June
  • Flower Form: fully double
  • Leaf Colour: dark green
  • Fragrance: very fragrant

Growing and Maintenance Tips

Peony 'Duchess de Lorraine' is an intersectional hybrid also known as an Itoh Peony. It should be planted with the eyes 3.5 to 5 cms below ground level. If the eyes have begun to grow they may stick up above the ground. All peonies are heavy feeders and grow best in rich, well drained soil that has been amended with compost. An annual top dressing of compost will help to keep them blooming well. A location in full sun to afternoon shade is ideal. Too much shade will make the plants lanky and bloom production will be affected. While the stems are woody this peony does die almost to the ground in the fall. When winters are mild buds may sprout part way up the stems so we recommend cutting the plants back in the spring after the new growth has started. Unlike tree peonies there is no graft so this plant can be divided after a few years although we recomend leaving the plant to increase into an impressive clump.