Peony 'Prairie Afire'

Prairie Afire is a Japanese-type peony introduced by A. M. Brand in 1932. Brand’s 1934 catalog describes broad, soft creamy-rose guard petals around fiery-red staminodes; the American Peony Society lists the cultivar as pink and midseason. ## Flower and garden use The contrasting flower form gives Prairie Afire a vivid focal point in a perennial border and makes it suitable for cutting. The original catalog recommends cutting the bloom in bud and letting it develop indoors. Its Japanese form has lighter flowers than many double peonies, though support can still help if stems lean in wind or rain. ## Growing Choose a sunny site with well-drained soil and good air movement. Water during dry spells, especially while buds are forming and flowers open. Set bare-root buds shallowly, about 1–2 inches below the soil surface; deep planting can reduce flowering. Peonies establish slowly and may take several seasons to reach full bloom. ## Maintenance Remove spent flowers for a tidy display, then cut foliage to ground level after a hard freeze and discard it to reduce disease carryover. Avoid deep cultivation around the crown because peony roots are easily damaged. ## Sources [Brand Peony Farms, 1934 catalog](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/Brand%27s_peonies%2C_iris_and_lilacs_-_fall_1934_-_Brand_Peony_Farms%2C_Inc._%3B_A.M._Brand,_president._%28IA_CAT31342376%29.pdf) · [American Peony Society historical list](https://americanpeonysociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/History-of-the-Peonies-and-Their-Originations-fr.pdf) · [Iowa State University Extension: Growing Peonies](https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/growing-peonies-iowa) ## Maintenance Remove spent flowers after bloom and clear dead foliage after a hard freeze; keep the crown shallowly planted and avoid deep cultivation.