Marie Lemoine

Marie Lemoine (Paeonia lactiflora ‘Marie Lemoine’)

Introduced in 1869, Marie Lemoine stands as one of the great historic French heirlooms and a defining late-season white peony. Long admired for its refinement and fragrance, this distinguished variety remains a benchmark among classic double whites; valued not for excess, but for its poise, substance, and timeless beauty.

Its very large, 6–6.5 inch double blooms open compact and somewhat flat, displaying a soft lemon-white tone richly suffused with warm yellow from hidden stamens and staminodes. Occasionally, a faint trace of crimson edges a few inner petals, adding subtle depth. As the flower matures, it expands into a broad, globular form of luminous, refined white, sometimes retaining a few yellow petaloids in the collar. The effect is elegant and quietly dramatic.

Richly fragrant, often compared to lilacs, Marie Lemoine perfumes the early summer garden with a powerful yet refined sweetness. Blooming late in the peony season (typically June to early July), it extends the flowering display when many other varieties have finished.

The plant itself is compact and sturdy, reaching 24–30 inches tall with a similar spread. Stout stems support the massive blooms, and glossy, deep green foliage (often burgundy-tinged in spring) provides an attractive backdrop throughout the growing season. While moderately floriferous, it produces fewer but exceptionally large and well-formed flowers, each one a statement of quality.

Hardy in USDA Zones 3–8 (and sometimes beyond with proper conditions), this long-lived herbaceous perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, rewarding gardeners with decades of dependable performance.