Paeonia tenuifolia

Herbaceous peonies are a well-deserved, popular choice for providing colour and drama in ornamental borders from late spring to early summer. They bear large, often double flowers in whites, pinks and reds, and return year after year.

The fern-leaf peony, Paeonia tenuifolia, produces bushy clumps of finely divided green leaves, above which ruby-red single flowers with bright yellow stamens appear from mid- to late spring. It's ideal for growing in sunny borders where its foliage and flowers will work to dramatic effect.

For best results grow Paenoia tenuifolia in rich, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun to part shade.