Paeonia Peony 'Felix Crouse'

Peony Felix Crouse

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Felix Crousse’ is a classic herbaceous perennial peony with large, fully double crimson-red to magenta-red flowers with a silky, slightly silvery sheen. It forms a bushy upright clump of glossy green divided foliage and is very floriferous in bloom. The American Peony Society describes the flower color as brilliant crimson with an even tone and notes that it is one of the best red varieties, though the stems can be weak and often need support.

Type: Herbaceous perennial peony
Mature Size: 24–36 in. wide × 24–36 in. tall
USDA Zones: 3a–8b
Form: Upright, bushy, clumping perennial; large double blooms often need support
Light: Full sun to part shade; best flowering in full sun
Soil / Water: Fertile, rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil; keep soil moist but not soggy
Bloom Time / Length: Late spring to early summer; late-midseason peony, usually about 7–10 days
Wildlife: Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects; generally deer and rabbit resistant

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for perennial borders, cottage gardens, cutting gardens, heirloom gardens, specimen planting, mass planting, and mixed sunny beds. ‘Felix Crousse’ is especially valued for its strong red color, full double flowers, old-fashioned garden character, and use as a cut flower. Gardenia lists it as a reliable, vigorous peony with glossy divided foliage that can reach 24–36 inches tall and 24–30 inches wide.

Care:
Plant peony eyes about 1–2 inches below the soil surface; planting too deeply can reduce flowering. Provide full sun, good air circulation, and water at the base when possible. Use a peony ring or support cage early in spring because the heavy double blooms and weaker stems may flop after rain. Remove spent flowers after bloom, leave foliage through summer to feed the roots, then cut stems to the ground after frost in fall and remove old foliage from the garden.

Plant type

Perennial

Height

24-30"

Width

24-36''

Hardiness zones

3–8

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Bloom time

Early Summer, Late Spring

Flower color

Red Violet

Leaf color

Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies

Soil

Moist well-drained, Rich

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Border, Container, Mass Planting

Shape

Clump, Compact, Upright

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No