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Bare-root herbaceous hybrid peony
Paeoniaceae
Ornamental bulbs
Van Noort
Paeonia
‘Command Performance’ Peony
From bulb to bloom
Common name‘Command Performance’ peony
FamilyPaeoniaceae
GenusPaeonia
CultivarCommand Performance
Bulb typeRacine de pivoine
Botanical namePaeonia
Quantity per pack1
Bulb size2 à 3 yeux
‘Command Performance’ Peony (Paeonia ‘Command Performance’) is a dramatic herbaceous hybrid peony known for its large cardinal-red double flowers. Each stem generally carries one bud that opens into a highly fragrant globe-shaped bloom with densely layered petals. Numerous petals create a dense, velvety mass suited to a focal position in a perennial border or bouquet. The deciduous clump reaches approximately 80 cm tall and 60 cm wide, with medium-green foliage that remains ornamental after flowering. The package contains one bare root. This midseason cultivar normally flowers in early summer and has a moderate rate of increase.
Plant the root in spring in deep, fertile, organic-rich, very well-drained soil. Choose full sun or bright partial shade, then position the crown with its eyes facing upward beneath approximately 5 cm of soil. Allow 90 cm to the next plant so air circulates around mature foliage. Water deeply after planting and maintain even moisture during establishment without allowing water to collect. Avoid piling mulch or compost over the crown because deeply buried eyes may produce attractive foliage without flowers. A young peony can require one to three growing seasons to reach its full flowering potential. Mark its position so emerging red shoots are not disturbed during spring maintenance.
Install a support ring early in spring to hold the large flowers after rain. For bouquets, cut several buds when they feel soft like marshmallows and leave multiple leaves on every stem. Remove faded flowers but retain all healthy foliage until frost so it can nourish the crown. Water at soil level and watch for botrytis during cool, wet periods. After the first hard frost, cut stems and remove diseased debris. Peonies prefer to remain in place; divide only a crowded clump, ideally in fall. Every part is unsuitable for eating and toxic to pets. Keep roots, foliage, flowers, and cut bouquets beyond their reach.
Light and life cycle
In the garden
- Exposure
- Full sun to partial shade
- Life cycle
- Bulbous perennial
- Hardiness
- Zones 4 to 8
Planting and establishment
Planting guide
Planting & establishment
Planting depth
Yeux à 2,5 à 5 cm sous la surface
Spacing / density
space plants or bulbs 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in.).
Planting period
Printemps
Propagation
Bare-root the crown; division of mature clumps in fall
Growing method
Plantez la racine au soleil dans une terre fertile et drainée; placez les yeux à 2,5 à 5 cm sous la surface.
Soil and care
Soil and care
Soil & care
Soil pH
pH 6.0 to 7.5
Moisture
Moist soil during establishment, then moderate moisture with constant drainage
Care level
Easy
Watering
Régulier à l’établissement, puis durant les périodes sèches
Soil type
Deep, fertile, organic-rich, very well-drained soil supports long-lived the root. Peonies tolerate several textures when water never collects around the crown. Loosen a broad area rather than creating a small enriched pocket. Avoid waterlogged or compacted ground. After planting, do not gradually bury the eyes beneath thick layers of compost or mulch. Correct crown depth remains essential for reliable flowering over time.
Fertilization
Incorporate mature compost before planting. In spring as shoots emerge, apply a thin compost layer around the clump without covering the eyes. A balanced slow-release fertilizer may be used according to its label when a soil test identifies a need. Avoid excess nitrogen, which encourages foliage at the expense of flowers, and keep concentrated fertilizer away from the crown. Do not feed late in the season when plants are preparing for dormancy.
Seasonal care
In early spring, remove excess mulch carefully without injuring emerging red eyes. Install a support ring before stems lengthen, especially when ‘Command Performance’ produces double or heavy flowers. Add a thin compost layer around the clump without covering the crown. During growth, keep soil moist and weed by hand to avoid cutting shallow the root. Water at soil level in the morning and inspect young stems, buds, and leaves for botrytis symptoms. Remove black, soft, or grey-moulded tissue promptly and clean tools between plants. When buds feel soft like marshmallows, cut several stems for bouquets while leaving multiple leaves on every plant. Remove remaining faded flowers afterwards. Through summer, retain all healthy foliage and water deeply during extended dry weather. Late powdery mildew is reduced by wide spacing and constant airflow. After the first hard frost, cut stems at soil level, collect every leaf, and discard diseased debris rather than composting it at home. Do not move young clumps. When division becomes necessary, work in fall four to six weeks before the ground freezes, then replant every section immediately at the correct depth. Check supports yearly and enlarge them before they constrict expanding the crown. The following spring, compare emerging points with labels before cultivating nearby soil. When frost movement exposes a crown, replace loose soil gently without burying it more deeply. After heavy rain, verify that water does not collect around the plants. In years of abundant flowering, support only leaning stems and avoid tightly binding the entire clump. Every intervention should preserve as much healthy foliage as possible so the root store enough energy for the next display.
Growing in containers
Container growing
Container growing
Recommended pot size
container at least 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in.) deep, with drainage
Peonies perform best in the ground, but each root can grow in a durable container holding at least 50 to 60 L and measuring approximately 50 cm deep. Use rich, freely draining mix in a pot with open drainage holes, then position the crown with its eyes beneath approximately 5 cm of medium. Plant only one root per container to preserve root space and airflow. Place the pot in full sun and water deeply when the upper few centimetres dry, never leaving water in a saucer. A circular support assists flowering stems. In cold regions, move the container beside a sheltered wall after frost, insulate its sides, or place it in an unheated location where the root ball stays cold without repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Do not bring the plant into a warm room. Remove protection gradually in spring. Repot only when the root fill the container, preferably in fall, keeping eyes shallow. Slower flowering after planting or repotting is normal. Check drainage each spring before new shoots expand. Rotate the container occasionally for balanced light and confirm that drainage holes remain open rather than blocked by the root or debris. A very thin mulch layer can slow evaporation, but always keep the crown visible and clear. After flowering, continue regular watering while foliage remains green. Avoid small decorative pots that overheat or dry completely within one day, since repeated stress limits root development and future flower production.
Growth and flowering
Size, flowering & harvest
Mature height
about 80 cm (31 in.)
Width / spread
Environ 60 cm
Flower color
Rouge cardinal
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Deciduous foliage that becomes dormant after flowering
Growth rate
Moderate
Growth habit
Upright to gently spreading herbaceous clump
Fragrance
Subtle fragrance
Bloom period
Midseason flowering, generally in early summer. Each stem usually carries one bud that opens into a highly fragrant, globe-shaped cardinal-red double flower up to approximately 18 cm across. A young root may require one to three growing seasons before reaching its full display. Exact timing depends on region and spring temperatures. Bloom lasts longest when plants receive morning sun and protection from intense afternoon heat.
Garden companions
Garden associations
Companion plants & uses
Companion plants
Combine peonies with hardy geraniums, catmint, lady’s mantle, salvias, ornamental alliums, and irises. These plants extend the season and can conceal supports or stems after flowering without smothering the crown. Keep open space directly around every eye. Choose low or airy companions that enjoy sun and drained soil, and avoid aggressive division near the fleshy roots. Spring bulbs can also bloom nearby when planted beyond the crown’s immediate root zone. Space companions so their leaves do not remain pressed against peony stems after rain. This separation reduces persistent humidity and simplifies inspection.
Garden use
Place ‘Command Performance’ in the middle or back of a sunny border, where its approximately 80 cm height can rise above low perennials. Cardinal red harmonizes with white peonies, violet-blue catmint, chartreuse lady’s mantle, and purple alliums. Reserve approximately 90 cm for the mature clump from planting time because the peony prefers to stay in place. A support ring installed early disappears beneath foliage and holds the 18 cm flowers after rain. In a cutting garden, harvest only several soft buds and leave multiple flowering stems in the border. Retain every healthy leaf after bloom so the crown can rebuild reserves. Early coral peonies and late white cultivars extend the display, while spring bulbs planted away from the crown fill the space before emergence. Avoid large trees, dense groundcovers, and waterlogged low spots. Cutting stems after frost opens the view and reduces debris that may shelter disease. A permanent label prevents accidental disturbance during dormancy. Keep a nearby path for cutting flowers and checking supports without compacting soil above the fleshy roots. This permanent layout also makes seasonal cleanup and disease inspection easier. Position the clump where morning light illuminates the red petals and its fragrance can be enjoyed without obstructing normal movement through the garden.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
How should a ‘Command Performance’ peony root be planted?
Plant in spring once soil can be worked. Choose full sun or bright partial shade and deep, fertile, organic-rich, very well-drained ground. Unpack the root, soak it briefly when dry, then position the crown with its two to three eyes facing upward. Cover the eyes with approximately 5 cm of soil, following Van Noort’s specification, and allow 90 cm to the next plant. Water deeply and mark the position. Do not pile mulch directly over the crown. Planting too deeply can reduce flowering, while saturated soil encourages rot. Keep the area weed-free and leave the crown undisturbed during its first growing seasons.
When does ‘Command Performance’ peony flower?
‘Command Performance’ flowers in midseason, generally in early summer depending on climate. Each stem usually carries one bud that opens into a highly fragrant, cardinal-red double flower up to approximately 18 cm across. A newly planted root may produce few flowers in its first year and require one to three growing seasons to reach full potential. Full sun, shallow crown placement, well-drained soil, and retaining foliage until frost support future flowering. Avoid moving the plant during establishment. The exact week varies with spring temperatures, while morning sun and protection from intense heat help flowers last longer. Even moisture during bud development also supports the cultivar’s unusually large flowers.
Why does a peony grow leaves without flowers?
Planting too deeply is a common reason for poor flowering. Check that the eyes have not become buried beneath repeated layers of compost or mulch. Insufficient sun, recent division, a young root still establishing, excess nitrogen, or removing foliage too early can also reduce buds. Allow ‘Command Performance’ one to three seasons before judging its performance. Retain all healthy leaves until frost and avoid moving the crown. When it is clearly too deep, correct its position carefully in fall rather than during active growth. Also check whether nearby trees create excessive shade and root competition. Even moisture during bud development helps an established plant perform reliably.
How should the large flowers be supported after rain?
Install a support ring in early spring before stems reach their final height. Choose a model wide enough to surround the clump without constricting emerging shoots. Guide stems gradually through the support as they grow; foliage will eventually hide it. After heavy rain, shake off excess water gently without bending the flowers. Avoid tying the entire clump with a tight cord because it traps moisture and distorts the natural habit. Check that wet leaves do not remain caught against stems, since poor airflow encourages botrytis. Enlarge or replace the support as the crown expands over future seasons. Remove the support after fall cleanup so it can be cleaned before the following spring.
Is ‘Command Performance’ peony safe around pets?
No. The ASPCA lists peonies as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses because they contain paeonol. Ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and depression. Position ‘Command Performance’ beyond the reach of animals that chew vegetation, and do not leave roots, leaves, petals, or faded bouquets accessible. No part is intended for human food. If an animal eats peony material or develops symptoms, contact a veterinarian or animal poison centre promptly and provide the botanical name Paeonia. Keep the original product label available for identification, collect fallen petals, and place cut bouquets in an inaccessible location. Clean up fallen petals around the plant before a curious pet can chew them.
Wildlife and pets
Wildlife & precautions
Reported toxicity
Yes
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