Itoh Peony, Cora Louise

Description

Large, semi-double, lightly fragrant blossoms, white with striking dark lavender central flares, stand above lush, toothed foliage. An especially vigorous plant – producing up to 50 blooms in a single season; the sturdy flower stems require no staking. A wonderful addition to any spring bouquet. An herbaceous perennial.Provide enriched, slightly acidic, well-drained, moist soil. Plant with crown slightly below soil level. Water deeply, regularly in first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency once established. Apply an annual side dressing of organic compost. Remove spent blooms. Prune back foliage in the fall.First hybridized by Toichi Itoh in 1948, The Itoh Peonies are a cross between woody tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa or P. suffruticosa x P. lutea or P. delavayi), and herbaceous peonies (P. lactiflora). These exceptional intersectional hybrids offer the best of both parents: Enormous flowers and foliage like that of a tree peony, with a prolific blooming habit, vigorous growth and stronger stems that hold up the large blooms without staking. Featuring a lush, substantial form during the growing season, the stems die back in the fall and must be cut back just as with the herbaceous peonies.