Peony

When garden peonies open in late spring, their large, often fragrant blooms become the centerpiece of the border. Deep green foliage stays attractive all season, keeping borders and cottage gardens lush long after flowering. Established plants can thrive in the same spot for decades with minimal care, and deer and rabbits usually leave them alone. They are prized cut flowers for bouquets. Like many peonies, the seed is double dormant, with a root forming first and the shoot following a season later, so expect several years before the first bloom.