(L. Glasscock 44) Paeonia 'Red Charm' is not only a gold medal winner from the American Peony Society, but it also prospers in the South. This early flowering (early May in NC) hybrid from Lyman Glasscock makes a 3' tall clump of sturdy stems topped with large, fully double, bright-red flowers with a sweet-spicy fragrance. We are ecstatic that this has performed so well in our heat-tolerance trials. Maintenance: Paeonia 'Red Charm' requires virtually no maintenance once planted in the garden. At the end of the season (September), the old stalks can be removed. Aphids may appear on the flower buds of peonies, but this is usually not a problem unless you use fast-release chemical fertilizers. If you do find them on your peonies, soapy water usually is enough to eliminate the problem. If you need to move or divide your peonies, the best time is mid-summer. Growing Conditions: Red Charm peony prefers full sun for 6+ hours for best flowering. Although all herbaceous peonies are somewhat drought tolerant, they perform their best in rich soils with even summer moisture. By the end of summer, they have started to go summer dormant, so don't be alarmed by foliage turning yellow, then brown. Garden Value: Peonies have great value for their bright, over-the-top mid-spring flowers, most of which are quite fragrant. We recommend using them around other plants which come into flower late in the season, to extend the garden flowering season. Natural Impact: Bees are the primary pollinator of peonies.