762 Prairie Afire Peony

The Prairie Afire peony is a highly fragrant, Japanese-type herbaceous perennial prized for its dramatic, multi-hued blooms that appear in mid-season, typically late spring to early summer. Its unique flowers feature broad, soft pink or deep rose "guard" petals surrounding a feathery center of narrow, flame-like staminodes in shades of red, dark pink, and yellow—a combination that gives the variety its fiery name. Growing in a compact, upright habit to about 3 feet tall and wide, this hardy plant thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and maintains glossy green foliage throughout the season, which often shifts to warm autumnal tones in the fall. To ensure successful blooming, it should be planted in a Full Sun location with well-drained, fertile soil, with its "eyes" positioned no more than 1–2 inches below the soil surface. Once established, this low-maintenance cultivar is exceptionally long-lived and serves as an excellent choice for cut flower arrangements or as a vibrant specimen in perennial borders