Buckeye Belle is a very early peony with dark mahogany red flowers. This hybrid of Paeonia officinalis and P. lactiflora blooms ahead of most of its neighbors.
What Is the Buckeye Belle Peony?
Buckeye Belle is a cross between Paeonia officinalis and Paeonia lactiflora. The flower is semi-double and faces upward, which shows off the golden center to anyone standing over it.
Each bloom is 4-6 inches across. Four or so layers of dark mahogany red petals form a cupped, rounded outer skirt, while narrower, deeply cut petaloids fill the middle around thick yellow anthers.
The center never looks quite the same twice. It varies from bloom to bloom and changes as the flower ages, which gives a clump a loose, slightly untidy charm.
From the almanac
Peonies in your state
The dates on this page depend on where you live. Your state's page carries its frost dates, its USDA zones and the year laid out month by month.
Northeast
Southeast
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Midwest
Southwest
West
Pacific Northwest
Canada
Where Does the Buckeye Belle Peony Grow Best?
Check the plant tag and ask a local garden center whether Buckeye Belle suits your climate. The plant tag lists its zone range, so check it before buying. The state selector just below this section leads to the page for your state.
- Check the plant tag and ask a local garden center whether Buckeye Belle suits your area.
Use the plant tag to choose a site that matches the plant’s local growing needs.
How to Care for the Buckeye Belle Peony Through the Year
Spring Growth
Buckeye Belle is a very early-blooming peony.
Bloom
Buckeye Belle opens early, about 1 to 2 weeks ahead of the other peonies in the landscape. The centers vary from bloom to bloom and change as each flower ages.
Each upward-facing, semi-double flower is 4-6 inches across.
Summer
Fall Cutback
Winter
Buckeye Belle Peony Diseases and Weak Points
Ask a local garden center about disease risks for peonies in your area.
Is the Buckeye Belle Peony Right for Your Yard?
It suits a gardener who wants a very early peony with dark mahogany red flowers and centers that vary as they age. It is a poor fit for anyone who wants identical-looking flowers.
- Choose it for upward-facing, semi-double flowers in dark mahogany red.
- Choose it if you want a peony that flowers very early.
- Open your state page to see when to plant and cut back where you live, then mark those months on the calendar.
Common Questions
Why Does Every Buckeye Belle Flower Look a Little Different in the Center?
The center of each bloom varies from flower to flower and changes as the bloom matures. That is part of the variety’s character, not a sign of poor health.
Do Buckeye Belle Peonies Need Staking?
Decide whether to add support after watching how the stems hold the flowers in your garden.
Can You Cut Buckeye Belle Peonies for a Vase?
Yes.
Sources : le-chatel-des-vivaces.com