Felix Crousse Peony Bare Root | Paeonia lactiflora – Fragrant Double Magenta Blooms

Bring rich colour and old-world peony charm to cool-climate gardens with Felix Crousse Peony, a classic herbaceous peony variety known for its bold double magenta-pink flowers and beautiful fragrance. With its ruffled petals, strong seasonal colour and traditional garden appeal, Paeonia lactiflora ‘Félix Crousse’ is a wonderful choice for cottage gardens, perennial borders and cut flower arrangements.

Felix Crousse produces large double blooms in vivid magenta-pink tones, often with a slightly deeper colour through the centre. The rounded, ruffled flowers create a strong display in mid to late spring, usually around October to November in suitable Australian climates.

This long-lived herbaceous perennial forms a clump over time, dying back in winter before returning each spring in cool-climate gardens. Once established, it can provide a beautiful seasonal display for many years, especially where it receives enough winter chill.

Supplied as a bare-root tuber packed in peat, Felix Crousse Peony is suitable for planting in a sunny to lightly shaded position with fertile, free-draining soil.

Pre-Order Note

NOTE: This is a pre-order.

Stock is expected to be ready around the end of July, however this may push into August depending on seasonal conditions and supplier availability.

This item is supplied as a bare-root tuber packed in peat and may be dormant at the time of dispatch.

Images shown are example pictures only. Flower colour, size and form may vary slightly depending on plant maturity, climate and growing conditions.

If there are any supply issues, we will contact you regarding substitution options.

Any items you do not wish to have substituted will be refunded.

Important Climate Note

Peonies require winter chill to flower well. Felix Crousse Peony is best suited to cool and cool-temperate Australian gardens.

It is generally best suited to areas such as VIC, TAS, ACT, SA and cooler parts of NSW, where winter temperatures provide enough chill for reliable flowering. In warmer regions, choose the coolest garden position available, provide afternoon shade, mulch well and avoid hot, exposed sites.

Peonies can take 2–3 years to flower reliably after planting, especially while they are establishing.

Features

• Classic Felix Crousse Peony variety
• Botanical name: Paeonia lactiflora ‘Félix Crousse’
• Large double blooms
• Rich magenta-pink flower colour
• Ruffled, rounded flower form
• Fragrant blooms
• Height approximately 60–90cm
• Flowers around October to November in suitable Australian climates
• Excellent cut flower variety
• Ideal for cottage gardens, borders and perennial beds
• Long-lived clump-forming perennial
• Frost tolerant and cold hardy once established
• Supplied as a bare-root tuber packed in peat
• Pre-order item, expected around the end of July to August

Planting & Care

Plant Felix Crousse Peony in a position with full sun to part shade. In cooler regions, full sun is ideal. In warmer or more exposed areas, afternoon shade can help protect the plant from heat stress.

Choose fertile, free-draining soil with a neutral to slightly acidic or neutral pH, around 6.5–7.0. Peonies dislike sitting in wet, heavy soil, so improve drainage before planting if needed.

Plant the bare-root tuber with the buds facing upward. The buds should sit no deeper than approximately 3–5cm below the soil surface. Planting too deeply is one of the most common reasons peonies fail to flower.

Space plants around 90cm to 1m apart where possible to allow airflow and give the clump room to develop.

Water well after planting, then keep the soil lightly and consistently moist during establishment and active growth. Avoid waterlogging.

Improve the soil at planting with compost, blood and bone, or well-rotted organic matter. Feed in early spring and again after flowering with a balanced fertiliser to support strong growth and future flowering.

Large double blooms may need support, especially during rain or windy weather. Use a peony ring, stake or plant support early in the season before the stems become too tall.

After flowering, remove spent blooms but leave the foliage to continue growing. In autumn, once the foliage has naturally started to die back, cut stems down close to ground level and remove old foliage to help reduce disease issues.

Peonies prefer not to be moved once established. Divide only during winter dormancy if plants become overcrowded or need relocating.

Flowering Time

Flowering: Mid to late spring.

In many suitable Australian regions, Felix Crousse Peony flowers around October to November, depending on climate, chill hours and seasonal conditions.

Product Details

Botanical Name: Paeonia lactiflora ‘Félix Crousse’
Common Name: Felix Crousse Peony, Herbaceous Peony
Product Type: Bare-root perennial
Supplied As: Bare-root tuber packed in peat
Flower Colour: Magenta-pink
Flower Form: Large double blooms
Fragrance: Fragrant
Height: Approximately 60–90cm
Flowering Time: Mid to late spring, usually October to November in suitable climates
Aspect: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Fertile, free-draining soil
Preferred Soil pH: Approximately 6.5–7.0
Planting Depth: Buds no deeper than approximately 3–5cm below soil level
Spacing: Approximately 90cm to 1m apart where possible
Watering: Moderate during active growth; avoid waterlogging
Frost Tolerance: Frost tolerant
Climate: Best suited to cool and cool-temperate regions
Suitable Zones: Zones 1, 2 and 3
Suitable Areas: VIC, TAS, ACT, SA and cooler parts of NSW
End Use: Garden borders, cottage gardens, perennial clumps, cut flowers, formal gardens
Availability: Pre-order, expected around the end of July to August

Pet Safety Note

Peony plant material can be harmful if eaten by pets. Keep roots, foliage and flowers away from cats, dogs and other animals if ingestion is a concern.

FAQ

What is Felix Crousse Peony?

Felix Crousse is a classic herbaceous peony variety, botanically known as Paeonia lactiflora ‘Félix Crousse’. It is grown for its fragrant double magenta-pink blooms.

What colour are Felix Crousse Peony flowers?

Felix Crousse produces rich magenta-pink double flowers with a ruffled, rounded form.

Is Felix Crousse Peony fragrant?

Yes. Felix Crousse is known for fragrant blooms, making it suitable for garden enjoyment and cut flower arrangements.

How tall does Felix Crousse Peony grow?

It generally grows around 60–90cm tall, depending on climate, soil and plant maturity.

When does Felix Crousse Peony flower in Australia?

In suitable Australian climates, flowering is usually around October to November, depending on region and seasonal conditions.

What climates are best for peonies?

Peonies perform best in cool and cool-temperate climates with enough winter chill. They are best suited to areas such as VIC, TAS, ACT, SA and cooler parts of NSW.

Can Felix Crousse Peony grow in warm climates?

It is not ideal for warm coastal, subtropical or tropical climates. In warmer areas, it may be tried in a cool, protected position with afternoon shade, but flowering may be less reliable.

Does Felix Crousse Peony need winter chill?

Yes. Peonies need winter chill to flower well. Without enough cold exposure, plants may grow but flower poorly or not at all.

Can Felix Crousse Peony grow in pots?

Yes, but it can be more challenging. Use a deep pot, rich free-draining soil, regular feeding and ensure the plant receives enough winter chill.

How deep should I plant peony roots?

Plant with the buds no deeper than approximately 3–5cm below the soil surface. Planting too deeply can prevent flowering.

How far apart should I plant peonies?

Space plants around 90cm to 1m apart where possible to allow good airflow and room for the clump to mature.

Does Felix Crousse Peony need staking?

Support is recommended. The large double blooms can become heavy, especially after rain or in windy conditions.

Is Felix Crousse good for cut flowers?

Yes. Felix Crousse is excellent for cut flowers, with strong colour and fragrant double blooms.

Will Felix Crousse Peony come back each year?

Yes. In suitable climates, it is a long-lived herbaceous perennial that dies back in winter and returns each spring.

How long does it take to flower?

Peonies may take 2–3 years to flower reliably after planting, especially while they are establishing.

Should I cut peonies back?

Yes. Cut stems back close to ground level in autumn once the foliage has naturally started to die back.

What is it supplied as?

It is supplied as a bare-root tuber packed in peat, ready for planting during the recommended season.

Is this a pre-order?

Yes. This item is a pre-order. Stock is expected around the end of July, however this may push into August depending on seasonal conditions and supplier availability.

What happens if there is a supply issue?

If there are any supply issues, we will contact you regarding substitution options. Any items you do not wish to have substituted will be refunded.