Characteristics

Paeonia ‘Melissa’ greets the season with a hush of yellow that fades—almost thoughtfully—into creamy tones as the bloom matures. A fully double flower with a rounded silhouette, it delivers not spectacle but serenity. Still, don’t be misled: this herbaceous hybrid is highly floriferous, with an open, spreading habit that fills the border with quiet confidence. Its stems may bend slightly under heavy spring rains, a reminder that even the strongest garden characters can carry their weight with grace.

Origin Melissa Peony

The ‘Melissa’ peony was registered by Wisconsin breeder R.F. Anderson in 2010, following its initial bloom in the early 2000s. It stands among a generation of herbaceous hybrids crafted for northern resilience and horticultural character.

HYBRID

As a herbaceous hybrid, ‘Melissa’ is the result of thoughtful cross-breeding between robust peony species. These hybrids offer vigor, earlier blooming, and form retention, particularly useful in commercial cultivation and public landscaping projects. ‘Melissa’ thrives with low maintenance yet offers high visual returns—a combination prized by both professional growers and discerning garden designers.

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