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Early Scout Fernleaf Peony - 2 Gallon
SKU:
1931640
UPC:
014949368695
$42.99
$34.39
(You save
$8.60
)
- One of the earliest hybrid peonies to bloom, featuring bold crimson single flowers on sturdy stems.
- Fern-like, deeply cut foliage stays attractive through summer and fall for long-lasting garden texture.
- Compact, tidy size—about 2 ft. tall and wide—perfect for borders and patio containers.
- Cold-hardy classic that needs winter chill to bloom reliably (best in Zones 3–8).
Early Scout Fernleaf Peony (Paeonia hybrid ‘Early Scout’) is a spring standout that brings vibrant crimson blooms and refined, fern-like foliage to your garden earlier than many peonies. Single red flowers rise above sturdy stems in late spring to early summer, followed by rich green, deeply dissected leaves that stay handsome well beyond bloom season—adding texture and structure through summer and fall. This award-winning peony forms a compact mound around 2 feet tall and wide, making it an excellent choice for sunny borders, mixed perennial beds, and decorative patio containers. Plant it in enriched, well-drained soil, keep moisture steady while it establishes, and enjoy years of easy-care beauty in climates with enough winter chill to support strong flowering.
Product Overview
- Botanical name: Paeonia hybrid ‘Early Scout’
- Common name: Early Scout Fernleaf Peony
- Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
- USDA Zones: 3–8
- Size: About 2 ft. tall and wide
- Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Key Features
- Early-blooming hybrid peony with vivid crimson single flowers.
- Sturdy stems help blooms stand tall and show well in the garden.
- Finely textured, fern-like foliage stays attractive through summer and fall.
- Great in borders and containers; also excellent as a cut flower.
Flowers & Bloom Season
- Flower color: Red (crimson)
- Flower form: Single blooms
- Bloom season: Late spring to early summer
- Great for: Cutting and fresh arrangements
Plant where you’ll see the early blooms up close—near walkways, entry beds, or patio seating areas.
Foliage & Seasonal Interest
- Foliage style: Deeply dissected, fern-like leaves
- Foliage color: Rich green
- Seasonal value: Remains attractive through summer and fall
Even after flowering, the fine-textured foliage keeps your garden looking lush and intentional.
Size & Growth Habit
- Mature size: About 2 ft. tall and wide
- Growth rate: Moderate
- Overall form: Compact mound—easy to tuck into beds and containers
Light Requirements
- Light: Full sun, partial sun, filtered sun, or partial shade
- Tip: In warmer areas, a little afternoon shade can help extend flower and foliage quality
Watering
- Water needs: Keep soil moist, but not soggy
- Establishment: Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season
- After establishment: Reduce frequency while maintaining steady moisture during dry spells
Soil & Planting Tips
For best performance, plant in enriched, slightly acidic, well-drained, moist soil.
- Plant with the crown slightly below soil level.
- Improve heavy soils with compost to boost drainage and fertility.
- Top-dress yearly with organic compost to keep plants thriving.
Pruning & Seasonal Care
- After bloom: Remove spent flowers to keep the plant tidy
- Fall: Prune back foliage in autumn
- Long-term care: Annual compost top-dressing supports vigor
Winter Chill Requirement
- Important: Herbaceous peonies need winter chill to set buds and bloom
- Typical need: About 500–1000 chilling hours
- Warm-zone note: Not recommended for Zones 9–11 (may not flower)
If you garden in a mild-winter region, choose a low-chill alternative for more reliable blooming.
Landscape Uses
- Landscape uses: Border, container
- Perfect for: Mixed perennial beds, cottage gardens, foundation accents, patio pots
- Design tip: Pair with mounding companions to highlight the ferny foliage texture
Resistance & Garden Benefits
- Deer resistant: Yes
- Urban tolerance: Tolerates urban pollution
- Maintenance: Easy care
Companion Plant Ideas
Combine Early Scout with complementary spring and summer favorites for a layered, long-season border:
- Weigela
- Sweetspire (Itea)
- Shasta daisy
- Phlox
- Delphinium
- One of the earliest hybrid peonies to bloom, featuring bold crimson single flowers on sturdy stems.
- Fern-like, deeply cut foliage stays attractive through summer and fall for long-lasting garden texture.
- Compact, tidy size—about 2 ft. tall and wide—perfect for borders and patio containers.
- Cold-hardy classic that needs winter chill to bloom reliably (best in Zones 3–8).
Early Scout Fernleaf Peony (Paeonia hybrid ‘Early Scout’) is a spring standout that brings vibrant crimson blooms and refined, fern-like foliage to your garden earlier than many peonies. Single red flowers rise above sturdy stems in late spring to early summer, followed by rich green, deeply dissected leaves that stay handsome well beyond bloom season—adding texture and structure through summer and fall. This award-winning peony forms a compact mound around 2 feet tall and wide, making it an excellent choice for sunny borders, mixed perennial beds, and decorative patio containers. Plant it in enriched, well-drained soil, keep moisture steady while it establishes, and enjoy years of easy-care beauty in climates with enough winter chill to support strong flowering.
Product Overview
- Botanical name: Paeonia hybrid ‘Early Scout’
- Common name: Early Scout Fernleaf Peony
- Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
- USDA Zones: 3–8
- Size: About 2 ft. tall and wide
- Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Key Features
- Early-blooming hybrid peony with vivid crimson single flowers.
- Sturdy stems help blooms stand tall and show well in the garden.
- Finely textured, fern-like foliage stays attractive through summer and fall.
- Great in borders and containers; also excellent as a cut flower.
Flowers & Bloom Season
- Flower color: Red (crimson)
- Flower form: Single blooms
- Bloom season: Late spring to early summer
- Great for: Cutting and fresh arrangements
Plant where you’ll see the early blooms up close—near walkways, entry beds, or patio seating areas.
Foliage & Seasonal Interest
- Foliage style: Deeply dissected, fern-like leaves
- Foliage color: Rich green
- Seasonal value: Remains attractive through summer and fall
Even after flowering, the fine-textured foliage keeps your garden looking lush and intentional.
Size & Growth Habit
- Mature size: About 2 ft. tall and wide
- Growth rate: Moderate
- Overall form: Compact mound—easy to tuck into beds and containers
Light Requirements
- Light: Full sun, partial sun, filtered sun, or partial shade
- Tip: In warmer areas, a little afternoon shade can help extend flower and foliage quality
Watering
- Water needs: Keep soil moist, but not soggy
- Establishment: Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season
- After establishment: Reduce frequency while maintaining steady moisture during dry spells
Soil & Planting Tips
For best performance, plant in enriched, slightly acidic, well-drained, moist soil.
- Plant with the crown slightly below soil level.
- Improve heavy soils with compost to boost drainage and fertility.
- Top-dress yearly with organic compost to keep plants thriving.
Pruning & Seasonal Care
- After bloom: Remove spent flowers to keep the plant tidy
- Fall: Prune back foliage in autumn
- Long-term care: Annual compost top-dressing supports vigor
Winter Chill Requirement
- Important: Herbaceous peonies need winter chill to set buds and bloom
- Typical need: About 500–1000 chilling hours
- Warm-zone note: Not recommended for Zones 9–11 (may not flower)
If you garden in a mild-winter region, choose a low-chill alternative for more reliable blooming.
Landscape Uses
- Landscape uses: Border, container
- Perfect for: Mixed perennial beds, cottage gardens, foundation accents, patio pots
- Design tip: Pair with mounding companions to highlight the ferny foliage texture
Resistance & Garden Benefits
- Deer resistant: Yes
- Urban tolerance: Tolerates urban pollution
- Maintenance: Easy care
Companion Plant Ideas
Combine Early Scout with complementary spring and summer favorites for a layered, long-season border:
- Weigela
- Sweetspire (Itea)
- Shasta daisy
- Phlox
- Delphinium
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