Paeonia 'Duchesse de Nemours'
Best low-maintenance perennial for gardeners seeking fragrant, deer-resistant cut flowers.
Experience the timeless elegance of Paeonia 'Duchesse de Nemours', a distinguished peony variety gracing gardens for over 150 years. This hardy perennial showcases large, fully double white blooms with soft yellow centers, releasing a delightful fragrance from late spring through early summer. It's a fast-growing, low-maintenance shrub that attracts butterflies and is perfect for cut flower arrangements. Thriving in full sun to part shade and adaptable to clay soil, this long-lived peony is a reliable and beautiful addition to any landscape.
$38.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
1635
/ 2688
#1635 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-1%
Below average
Item Form
Bareroot
/ Bareroot
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking fragrant flowers for fresh bouquets
- Designers looking for versatile, elegant white floral accents
- Homeowners wanting low-maintenance, long-term landscape investments
Who should skip it
- Gardeners preferring hands-off plants without support structures
- Impatient growers wanting immediate, full-scale floral results
- Landscapers prioritizing extended, season-long color displays
Performance breakdown
Fragrance potency
Delivers a classic, intoxicating scent that defines the early summer garden.
Maintenance ease
A reliable, low-effort perennial that thrives with minimal intervention.
Pest resistance
Effectively deters deer and rabbits, protecting your landscape investment.
Floral utility
Large, sturdy blooms are perfect for high-end indoor floral arrangements.
Soil adaptability
Robust enough to handle heavy clay soils where others struggle.
Longevity
A historic variety proven to endure for generations in the landscape.
Key Specs
Item Form
Bareroot
Mature Height
3 Feet
Mature Width
3 Feet
Hardiness Zones
3 - 8
Bloom Color
White, Light Yellow
Foliage Color
Medium Green
Light Requirements
Full Sun, Part Shade
Soil Drainage
Well-drained
Features
- Highly fragrant double white blooms
- Attracts butterflies and pollinators
- Award-winning Royal Horticultural Society recognition
- Low maintenance and easy to grow
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Tolerates clay soil
- Long-lived perennial
- Excellent for cut flowers
What customers say
Gardeners highly value the 'Duchesse de Nemours' peony for its exceptional beauty and consistent reliability. Its large, creamy white blooms are celebrated for their classic, powerful fragrance, meeting and exceeding expectations. Though bare root size can vary initially, the plant establishes into a robust performer. The spectacular annual display and long term success provide outstanding value, solidifying its status as a cherished garden favorite. This peony offers a dependable and visually stunning addition to any garden space.
Know before you buy
A bareroot plant is shipped without soil around its roots while in a dormant state. This allows the plant to focus its energy on establishing a strong root system in your garden soil immediately after planting.
You should plan for a mature size of approximately 3 feet in height and 3 feet in width. Ensure you plant it in a spot that allows for this spread to maintain good air circulation.
Yes, this variety is known for its adaptability and tolerates clay soil well. However, ensure the planting site is well-drained to prevent water from pooling around the roots, which can lead to rot.
Peonies often require a season or two to establish their root systems before they produce their best blooms. While you may see some growth in the first year, you can expect the most prolific flowering once the plant is fully settled.
Yes, 'Duchesse de Nemours' is considered deer and rabbit resistant. While no plant is entirely immune if wildlife is desperate, these animals typically avoid peonies due to their taste and texture.
Cut the stems when the buds are soft and show color, often described as the 'marshmallow stage.' This allows the blooms to open fully indoors, providing you with a longer-lasting and highly fragrant display.
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$39