Duchess de Nemours is an heirloom peony from 1856, still planted for its full double white blooms, cream-glowing at the center, that arrive in late spring on 2 to 3 foot clumps. It remains one of the great cut flowers, filling a vase from a single stem.

In Birmingham, give it full sun to light afternoon shade and plant the eyes barely an inch deep; peonies set deeper simply won't bloom in the South. Once established it can hold its ground for decades, and deer and rabbits leave it alone.