Edulis Superba

Edulis Superba (Paeonia lactiflora ‘Edulis Superba’)

A beloved heirloom with nearly two centuries of garden history, Edulis Superba has been cherished since its introduction in 1824. This classic lactiflora peony is celebrated for its abundant, fragrant blooms and exceptional reliability—truly a “tried and true” variety that has stood the test of time.

Its large, fully double flowers open in rich, bright rose-pink tones, often featuring a distinctive collar of lighter, silvery-pink to ivory petals at the base. As the bloom matures, it may develop a soft crown, adding depth and dimension to its ruffled center. The overall effect is lush, romantic, and beautifully textured. Blooming very early to mid-season (early to mid-spring), Edulis Superba is prized for bringing vibrant color to the peony border ahead of many other varieties.

Highly fragrant, the blossoms carry a sweet, classic peony perfume that makes them especially desirable for bouquets and commercial cut-flower production. In fact, this variety has long been widely grown for cutting due to its floriferous nature and dependable performance.

Growing 24–36 inches tall and wide, Edulis Superba forms a full, bushy clump of attractive foliage. While its stems can be somewhat bending under the weight of its abundant blooms, simple staking will ensure a polished display. Exceptionally hardy and long-lived—often thriving for 20 years or more, it is also pest-resistant, deer-resistant, and notably tolerant of heavier clay soils.