Peony 'Monsieur Jules Elie'

Monsieur Jules Elie is a lactiflora peony introduced by Crousse in 1888. The American Peony Society describes its very large, early flowers as double, light rose-pink, and moderately fragrant, with broad guard petals and an incurved, silvered center. The cultivar is tall and free-flowering, but its stems are lax and loose; it is most effective when cut. [American Peony Society cultivar registry](https://americanpeonysociety.org/cultivars/peony-registry/monsieur-jules-elie/). ## Garden Use and Growing Conditions Grow it in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. The weak, loose stems make the blooms better suited to cutting than unsupported garden display. Illinois Extension recommends planting peony roots shallowly and applying only light fertilizer. [University of Illinois Extension peony guide](https://extension.illinois.edu/flowers/peony). ## Maintenance Water during establishment and extended dry spells, and keep the root crown from being buried deeply. Support the tall flowering stems before buds open if they are left in the garden; remove old foliage in early spring. The existing 2–3-foot height range is normalized to 24–36 inches without changing the numeric height.