Peony 'Shirley Temple'

Shirley Temple is a herbaceous peony with fragrant, fully double flowers that open rose-pink and fade toward buff-white. The American Peony Society records this selection as an early-flowering cut flower from Holland; the RHS describes its divided dark-green foliage and mature height of about 80 centimetres. ## Flowers and placement Large, rounded blooms make Shirley Temple a strong choice for a flower border or cottage garden, and its firm stems suit cutting. Plant where the changing blush-to-white color can be seen from paths or seating areas. Flowers may benefit from support in exposed locations. ## Growing Grow in full sun or partial shade in deep, fertile, humus-rich soil that stays moist but drains freely. Avoid waterlogged ground. The RHS lists chalk, clay, loam, and sand as suitable soil types and gives an approximate mature height and spread of 0.5–1 metre. Peonies take time to establish and may need several seasons to reach full flowering. ## Maintenance Remove faded flowers, then cut the plant back as its foliage dies down in autumn. Dispose of dead foliage to reduce disease carryover. Established clumps can be divided in autumn or early spring. ## Sources [Royal Horticultural Society plant profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/54831/paeonia-lactiflora-shirley-temple/details) · [American Peony Society registry](https://americanpeonysociety.org/cultivars/peony-registry/shirley-temple/) · [Iowa State University Extension: Growing Peonies](https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/growing-peonies-iowa) ## Maintenance Remove spent flowers as they fade and cut foliage to ground level in autumn. Keep the soil moist but well-drained, and add support if heavy flowers lean.