RUTH CLAY PEONY

The 'Ruth Clay' peony is a medium-early flowering herbaceous perennial plant featuring bright, full double flowers up to 13 cm in diameter. The flower has a crown shape with wide outer petals and central ones that twist slightly inward, forming a pompon. The flower's color is a rich, dark burgundy, giving it expressiveness and decorative appeal. The bush reaches a height of 90 cm; stems are thin but sturdy, typically bearing 2-3 well-developed buds and requiring support. Leaves are narrow, glossy, and light or dark green, creating an effective backdrop for the flowers. The peony's aroma is weak, pleasant, or absent.

This peony is excellent for growing in both single and group plantings with other plants. Due to its height and lush foliage, it looks great against lawns, patches, or in mixed floral compositions, adding volume and richness. Many gardeners prefer creating separate beds with various peony varieties or planting them in rows against trees. After flowering, the plant continues to decorate the area with its dense foliage.

The 'Ruth Clay' peony is undemanding in care, frost-hardy, and drought-tolerant. For successful growth, it is recommended to plant it in sunny locations or in light partial shade, maintaining a distance of about one meter between bushes. Planting is best done in spring or early September so the plant can root before the cold. Regular watering, loosening, and fertilizing are required throughout the season. Pruning is mostly carried out in autumn, and dividing the bush is possible on the fourth year after planting.