Peony - Duchess de Nemours
Best fragrant perennial for gardeners seeking elegant, deer-resistant cut flowers.
Discover the 'Duchess de Nemours' Peony root, an old-fashioned perennial celebrated for its large, fragrant white blooms with a soft yellow ruffled center. This award-winning variety, debuting nearly 150 years ago, remains a benchmark for white peonies. Its blooms are held high on sturdy stems, making it an excellent choice for borders and a reliable performer as a cut flower. This early-to-mid blooming perennial adds aristocratic elegance to any garden and is hardy across multiple zones, offering beauty and fragrance for years to come.
$16.96
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
16
/ 3088
#16 in Plant & Flower Bulbs
Price vs Category Average
-28%
Below average
USDA Hardiness Zones
38
/ Zones -
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking fragrant, elegant blooms for fresh floral arrangements
- Homeowners wanting long-term, low-maintenance perennial garden investments
- Florists needing reliable, sturdy stems for high-quality bouquets
Who should skip it
- Impatient gardeners looking for immediate, full-season floral impact
- Minimalists wanting low-maintenance plants that require no physical support
- Landscape designers prioritizing a continuous, long-lasting seasonal color display
Performance breakdown
Fragrance Intensity
A classic, highly aromatic profile that fills the garden with scent.
Structural Integrity
Sturdy stems hold heavy blooms upright without needing constant staking.
Hardiness Range
Reliable performance across a wide variety of temperate climate zones.
Cut Flower Longevity
Excellent vase life makes these a premier choice for indoor arrangements.
Pest Resistance
Natural deer resistance provides peace of mind for vulnerable garden beds.
Visual Impact
Large, ruffled white blooms offer timeless elegance and high visual drama.
Key Specs
USDA Hardiness Zones
Zones 3-8
Mature Height
34 inches
Plant Life Cycle
Perennial
Sun Exposure
Full Sun to Partial Sun
Bloom Season
Spring to Early Summer
Planting Season
Fall or Spring
Deer Resistance
Deer Resistant
Fragrance Level
Highly Fragrant
Features
- Gorgeous double-blooming white peony
- Highly fragrant blooms
- Blooms held high on sturdy stems
- Deer resistant plant
- Ideal for borders and cut flowers
- Award-winning variety
- Hardy in Zones 3-8
What customers say
Customers express high satisfaction with the quality and performance of the 'Duchess de Nemours' peony bulbs. Reviewers consistently praise the supplier for providing large, healthy bare roots that arrive well packaged and on time. The variety reliably produces its promised creamy white, highly fragrant, double blooms, establishing itself as a classic garden centerpiece. While patience is required for the first significant display, established plants deliver increasingly abundant and impressive results year after year. This long term viability confirms the bulbs are a high quality, reliable investment, justifying the initial purchase for enduring garden beauty.
Know before you buy
You can plant these roots in either the fall or the spring. Fall planting is generally preferred in colder climates to allow the roots to establish before the ground freezes, while spring planting works well in regions with milder winters.
These peonies thrive in full sun to partial sun. For the best bloom production, aim for at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
Yes, 'Duchess de Nemours' is considered deer resistant. While no plant is entirely deer-proof, deer generally avoid the taste and texture of peony foliage.
Plant the roots approximately two inches deep. It is important not to plant them too deeply, as this can prevent the plant from blooming properly.
Absolutely. Because they grow on sturdy stems and are highly fragrant, they are excellent for use as cut flowers in vases.
Since this variety reaches a mature spread of 36 inches, you should space them about three feet apart to ensure adequate airflow and room for growth.
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Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
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$17