Do Tell Peony

Do Tell Peony (Paeonia lactiflora 'Do Tell')

Do Tell Peony brings a refined, romantic look to sunny borders with a bloom style that feels classic but still a little unexpected. It is a long-lived perennial that settles in and improves each year, building a fuller clump and a bigger flower show over time. The foliage stays lush after flowering, helping the garden look finished through summer. If you want a peony that reads soft and elegant up close while still standing out in the landscape, Do Tell is a great choice.

Distinctive Features

This herbaceous peony forms a sturdy mound of deep green, finely cut foliage and produces large, showy blooms in late spring to early summer. Do Tell is known for its anemone-style flowers, with soft pink outer petals surrounding a raised center of creamy to pale yellow petaloids tipped with pink. The layered form adds texture and depth, giving each bloom a delicate, detailed look. After the bloom season, the foliage remains an attractive green presence, making it valuable in borders even when flowers are gone.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part sun, with at least 6 hours of sun for best flowering.
• Soil: Rich, well-drained soil is ideal, with compost added to improve structure and drainage.
• Water: Water regularly during establishment, then provide consistent moisture during dry stretches, avoiding soggy soil.
• USDA Zones: 3 to 8.
• Planting Depth: Set eyes just below the soil surface to support reliable blooming.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Plant where the detailed bloom centers can be enjoyed up close, such as near patios, paths, or entry gardens.
• Perennial Borders: Use to add a soft, romantic spring highlight and lush foliage structure among companion plants.
• Cut Flowers: Grow in a cutting garden to bring the layered blooms indoors for arrangements.
• Foundation Planting: Place in front of evergreens or shrubs to create a layered look with a standout bloom season.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water deeply during dry spells, especially in spring as buds form and after flowering as roots store energy.
• Staking: Support blooms with rings or stakes if heavy flowers lean after rain.
• Feeding: Top-dress with compost in spring and avoid heavy nitrogen that can reduce flowering.
• Fall Cleanup: Cut stems back to the ground after frost and remove debris to keep the planting clean.

Why Choose Do Tell Peony?

• Anemone Style Blooms: Layered flowers with a detailed center create a refined, distinctive look.
• Soft Color Palette: Pink petals and creamy centers pair easily with pastels and whites in spring borders.
• Long Lived Perennial: Establishes into a clump that returns reliably and improves over time.
• Beautiful in Arrangements: Blooms look special in vases and bring a gentle, romantic feel indoors.

Do Tell Peony is a rewarding choice for gardeners who want a peony with detail, texture, and long-term reliability. Give it sun, well-drained soil, and a permanent home where it can mature without disturbance. As the clump strengthens, it will deliver bigger bloom seasons and a lush presence that keeps borders looking polished year after year.