Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
'Alertie'
peony
Paeonia 'Alertie' is a peony with a wonderfully graceful sense of transformation, beginning the season with sturdy, greenish buds before opening into soft pink, fully double, cup-shaped flowers. As the blooms mature, their colour slowly softens to white-pink or creamy white, while a slightly deeper pink centre remains like a blush held in reserve. This gentle shift gives Paeonia 'Alertie' a fresh, romantic presence in the early summer border. There is nothing loud about Paeonia 'Alertie', yet its generous form and subtle colouring make it quietly compelling, the sort of peony that rewards a closer look.
Plant Paeonia 'Alertie' in fertile, well-drained soil, in sun or light shade, and allow it time to settle into a handsome clump. Its creamy, blush-toned flowers are easy to place among soft blue geraniums, white foxgloves, apricot roses and silvery foliage, where they create a border scheme with a gentle, painterly mood. The full blooms are also beautiful for cutting, bringing a relaxed, softly gathered look to vases and arrangements indoors. Refined, generous and prettily understated, Paeonia lactiflora 'Alertie' is a lovely choice for gardeners who prefer their romance with a little restraint.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
- Paeonia lactiflora 'Alertie'
- Flower colour
- Cream, white, pink
- Established height
- 70cm-1m
- Established spread
- 70cm-1m
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- Yes
- Plant size
- 3/5 eyes
- Plant spacing
- 3 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- RHS Award (AGM)
- Yes
- Scented
- Yes
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Stony
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Large containers
Borders
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens
Cut flower gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade - Toxicity
- Harmful if eaten
- Years to establish
- 2-3 years
Expert care from
choice to delivery
Our horticulturalists prepare every bulb and plant with the utmost care. From selection to packing, each one receives expert attention before beginning its journey to your garden.