Paeonia lactiflora ‘Duchesse de Nemours‘, commonly known as Duchesse de Nemours Peony, is a classic herbaceous peony admired for its large, fragrant, double white blooms with a soft hint of creamy yellow at the center. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this long-lived perennial grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, offering a show-stopping display in cottage gardens, perennial borders, and formal landscapes.

Duchesse de Nemours Peony is renowned for its fragrance and strong stems, making it an excellent cut flower. While beloved for its ornamental beauty and elegance, it is not a native species, and native perennials offer greater ecological benefits for pollinators and wildlife.

Why Choose Paeonia lactiflora ‘Duchesse de Nemours’?

• Large, fragrant, double white blooms in late spring to early summer

• Excellent cut flower with strong, upright stems

• Long-lived and low-maintenance once established

Cultivating Tips

• Thrives in full sun and well-drained, fertile soils

• Water regularly during establishment; drought-tolerant once mature

• Deadhead spent blooms and cut back foliage after frost for winter cleanup

Design Ideas for Your Garden

• Perfect for perennial borders, cottage gardens, and formal plantings

• Use as a specimen plant or in mass plantings for maximum impact

• Combine with native perennials to enhance pollinator value and biodiversity

Ecological Benefits

• Attracts some pollinators during bloom

• Non-native species offering limited habitat support for local wildlife

• Native alternatives provide better habitat, food sources, and ecosystem support

Since Paeonia lactiflora ‘Duchesse de Nemours’ is not a native species, here are three native alternatives available at Bumbee’s that provide ecological benefits:

• Monarda fistulosa – Wild Bergamot: Lavender-pink flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies

• Echinacea purpurea – Purple Coneflower: Showy pink-purple blooms support pollinators and provide seeds for birds

• Pycnanthemum tenuifolium – Narrowleaf Mountain Mint: Delicate white flowers and aromatic foliage attract a wide variety of pollinators