Paeonia lactiflora 'Kings Day' is a herbaceous peony grown for its warm, glowing flowers and strong growth. The blooms open in late spring in shades of peach orange that soften as they age, with a bright yellow center that gives each flower a lively look. Strong upright stems help the flowers stay on display well, which makes this variety a good choice for borders and cutting.
This peony grows as a bushy clump and returns each year after winter dormancy. It does best in a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil, and once settled it is fairly easy to care for. The flowers have a light fragrance, and the open center can be useful for visiting bees during bloom time.
Like many peonies, it can be affected by botrytis, leaf spot, mildew, or root rot in wet conditions, so good spacing and drainage matter. Pruning is simple, as the stems are cut down after the foliage dies back in fall. Propagation is usually done by dividing mature clumps while dormant, though this is best done with care so each section has healthy buds and roots.