Duchesse de Nemours Peony
Grow fragrant creamy white peonies that return year after year
About Duchesse de Nemours Peony
Duchesse de Nemours is a classic French peony with creamy white double blooms and a soft yellow center. Gardeners love it for its strong, sweet fragrance, long lifespan, and reliable early-season flowers. Once established, it needs minimal care and resists deer and rabbits, making it a dependable choice for any garden.
This guide covers everything you need to grow Duchesse de Nemours peonies well. Learn the best way to plant it, how to care for it through the seasons, how to spot and prevent common problems, and where to find quality plants. We also share tips for cutting and arranging these sweetly fragrant blooms.
Buy Duchesse de Nemours Peony
Nursery-grown plants shipped in their container, with our planting and care guides to go with them.
From $69.95
Sizes: 2 Gallon
Shop Duchesse de Nemours PeonyQuick facts
- USDA zones
- 3-8
- Mature height
- 26-36 in (varies with soil and climate)
- Mature width
- 24-36 in
- Sun
- full sun (6+ hours); tolerates light afternoon shade in hot southern climates
- Water
- average, consistent moisture; drought-tolerant once established but blooms best without pr
- Bloom time
- early to mid-season (typically May, varies by zone/region)
- Bloom color
- creamy white with pale yellow flushed center
- Growth rate
- moderate; reaches full mature size in about 3-4 years, then persists indefinitely with min
- Deer resistance
- high
- Plant type
- herbaceous perennial
- Classic bomb-type double peony bred in France in 1856
- Creamy white blooms with a subtle yellow blush at the center
- Strong, sweet fragrance ideal for cut-flower use
- Blooms early to mid-season and can live for decades once established
- Deer- and rabbit-resistant, low-maintenance once planted
- Best planted in fall with eyes no more than 1-2 inches deep
Growing guides
Core guideDuchesse de Nemours Peony Care Guide: Growing Tips That Work
Grow Duchesse de Nemours Peony with proven care tips. Expert guide covers planting, hardiness zones, watering, blooming, and 50+ years of su
Core guideHow to Plant Duchesse de Nemours Peony for Big Spring Blooms
Learn how to plant Duchesse de Nemours Peony for reliable spring blooms. Step-by-step bare root and container planting guide with timing, de
Core guideDuchesse de Nemours Peony Buying Guide: Roots, Pots and Size
Buy Duchesse de Nemours Peony: compare bare-root, potted sizes, and grower quality. Find the right plant for your zone.
Plant specificDuchesse de Nemours Peony Bloom Time and Flower Color Guide
When do Duchesse de Nemours Peonies bloom? Learn bloom time by zone, flower color details, and how long blooms last with this practical guid
Core guideDuchesse de Nemours Peony Hardiness Zones: Where It Thrives
Duchesse de Nemours peony thrives in zones 3–8. Learn if it grows in zone 8, cold hardy habits, and blooming by region.
Plant specificDuchesse de Nemours vs Festiva Maxima Peony: Key Differences
Compare Duchesse de Nemours and Festiva Maxima peonies: blooms, fragrance, zones, growing requirements, and which white peony variety suits
Core guideSun Requirements for Duchesse de Nemours Peony Explained
Learn the exact sun requirements for Duchesse de Nemours Peony: 6+ hours direct light daily. Step-by-step guide to positioning, troubleshoot
Core guideWatering Duchesse de Nemours Peony: A Complete Guide
Learn how to water Duchesse de Nemours Peony for optimal blooms. Complete watering schedule, frequency guide, and signs of over-watering.
Core guideBest Soil for Duchesse de Nemours Peony: pH and Drainage Tips
The best soil for Duchesse de Nemours Peony is fertile, humus-rich loam with 6.5–7.0 pH and sharp drainage. Learn how to amend clay, test pH
Core guideFertilizing Duchesse de Nemours Peony: What, When and How Much
Learn the right fertilizer for Duchesse de Nemours Peony, when to apply it, and how much to use for strong blooms and healthy roots.
Core guidePruning Duchesse de Nemours Peony: When and How to Cut Back
Prune Duchesse de Nemours Peony correctly: deadhead blooms in May, cut stems to ground in late fall after frost. Learn timing, tools, and co
Core guideHow Big Does Duchesse de Nemours Peony Get? Size and Spread
How big does Duchesse de Nemours Peony get? Learn mature height, width, growth rate, spacing, and more in our detailed FAQ guide.
Duchesse de Nemours Peony questions
Why isn't my Duchesse de Nemours peony blooming?
The most common cause is planting too deep — the eyes (buds) should sit no more than 1-2 inches below the soil surface. Insufficient sunlight or a plant still establishing (peonies can take 2-3 years to bloom well) are other common causes.
Do I need to remove the ants from the buds?
No. Ants are attracted to sugary nectar on the buds but do not damage the plant and should be left alone; they will disperse naturally once the flowers open.
How do I keep the heavy blooms from flopping over?
Use peony hoops or grow-through stakes installed early in spring as the stems emerge, since the large double blooms are heavy, especially after rain.
When and how should I divide this peony?
Divide in early fall, cutting the root clump into sections with 3-5 eyes each, and replant promptly at the correct shallow depth.