Peony 'Red Charm'

Red Charm is a herbaceous hybrid peony introduced by Glasscock in 1944. It bears early, rich-red, bomb-shaped double flowers on tall, stiff stems, above glossy, divided foliage. [American Peony Society](https://americanpeonysociety.org/cultivars/peony-registry/red-charm/) records its hybrid origin and flower form; [RHS](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/182396/paeonia-lactiflora-red-charm/details) describes a clump-forming plant reaching about 85 cm. ## In the garden Use Red Charm as a bold late-spring to early-summer accent in a sunny border or cutting garden. Its rounded clump and large red blooms suit mixed perennial planting, while the glossy foliage remains attractive after the flowers fade. The RHS lists it for borders and cut flowers. ## Growing conditions Give it full sun or partial shade and fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Peonies flower best with good light and air circulation; avoid crowding them against walls or beneath tree roots. Water during the early growing season as the plant establishes. The NC State Extension guide notes that large double flowers can need support when rain makes them heavy. ## Maintenance Remove faded blooms and cut the herbaceous stems back after the foliage dies down. Check the plant after heavy rain and support flower stems if they begin to lean.