Paeonia Athena (Peony)

One of the first peonies to flower in spring, 'Athena' is a very unusual Hybrid Peony with single, creamy-white, cup-shaped flowers adorned with delicate raspberry flares at the base of each petal. The petals surround a center packed with bright golden-yellow stamens where the pale green carpels are topped by red styles. Borne on strong stems, the breathtaking blooms do not need staking. 'Athena' is a quadruple hybrid between Paeonia lactiflora, Paeonia macrophylla, Paeonia mlokosewitschii and Paeonia officinalis. 

• Blooming in late spring – early summer, this very early season peony will resist well in the rain and will flower for approximately 7-10 days.
  You may want to plant other cultivars with staggered bloom times (there are early, mid and late blooming varieties) to extend your peonies season to up to 6 weeks.
• Reliable and vigorous, this herbaceous peony grows in a lush, bushy mound of glossy, dark green, divided foliage reaching up to 34 in. in height (85 cm) and 24-36 in. in spread (60-90 cm). The foliage remains attractive throughout the summer until frost and often colors up in the fall.
• Enjoys full sun or part shade in rich,fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Peony plants grow best in full sun, but will tolerate some light afternoon shade. Provide a sheltered location. Staking may be required as the large peony flowers tend to arch toward the ground and may be driven to the ground by hard rain.
• Makes excellent cut flowers with a long vase life (over a week) if cut in bud. Enjoy a magnificent bouquet of white peonies at home!
• Very useful and adaptable in the garden. Perfect as a specimen plant and in groups for borders and beds, city gardens or cottage gardens. Ideal for bordering a walk or driveway and as an informal hedge. Plant your peonies away from trees or shrubs as peonies don't like to compete for food and moisture. The enchanting peony flower combines beautifully with roses, bearded irises and other perennials in striking color combinations.
• Deer and rabbit resistant, but attractive to butterflies!
• Virtually pest free. Watch for honey fungus and peony wilt.
• Low maintenance. Remove spent flowers as they fade, then cut back plant after the foliage has died down in the fall. Long-lived (peonies may live up to 50 years!), the plants do not need to be divided and can be left undisturbed for years. Peonies do not respond well to transplanting, so choose your planting location carefully.
• The best time to plant peonies is in early fall, so they will have time to become established in the soil before winter. They do not flower the first year of planting, and may take up to two years to produce their showy, fragrant blooms.
• All parts of the plant may cause stomach discomfort if consumed.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.