A new and distinct Paeonia cultivar named ‘RTPIV791-01’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive creamy pale yellow suffused with pink, fully double, mildly fragrant flowers. Plants are vigorous and symmetrical with strong stems holding flowers above foliage, and with attractive foliage through the Fall. The new cultivar is a Paeonia hybrid suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species:Paeonia lactiflora×P. lutea.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a breeder program conducted by the inventor, Thierry Rat. This new variety, hereinafter referred to as ‘RTPIV791-01’, was discovered as part of a planned breeding program. The inventor, Thierry Rat, crossed the seed parentPaeonia lactiflora‘Miss America’, unpatented, with the pollen parent,Paeonia lutea‘C36’, unpatented, during May of 2006. The resulting new variety was selected in a research nursery in Castel Sarrasin France during May of 2012.

After identifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, the inventor first organized propagation of ‘RTPIV791-01’ by shoot tissue culture at a commercial laboratory in L'Assomption, Quebec, during September of 2012. The inventor continued controlled testing and propagation, assessing stability of the unique characteristics of this variety. Several generations have been reproduced and have shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘RTPIV791-01’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘RTPIV791-01’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘RTPIV791-01’ as a new and distinctPaeoniacultivar:1. Strong stems which hold the flowers uniquely erect and above the foliage.2. Unique creamy pale yellow suffused with pink, fully double flower.3. Symmetrical, bushy plant shape.4. Attractive foliage through Fall.

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY

‘RTPIV791-01’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to the seed parent varietyPaeonia lactiflora‘Miss America’. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-01’ however, differ in the following characteristics:1. ‘Miss America’ has a white, semi-double flowers, the new variety has a creamy pale yellow suffused with pink, fully double flower.2. The new variety has stronger stems.3. Foliage of the new variety is more finely cut.

‘RTPIV791-01’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to the pollen parent varietyPaeonia lutea‘C36’. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-01’ however, differ in the following characteristics:1. ‘C36’ has yellow single to semi-double flowers, the new variety has creamy pale yellow suffused with pink, fully double flowers.2. The new variety is a more herbaceous plant.3. The new variety is more Winter hardy.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘RTPIV791-01’ can be compared to the commercial varietyPaeonia‘Bartzella’ unpatented. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-01’ are similar to plants of ‘Bartzella’ In most horticultural characteristics, as both are interspecific hybrid Peonies. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-01’ however, produce creamy pale yellow suffused with pink flowers, whereas flowers of ‘Bartzella’ are yellow with red centers. Plants of the new variety produce more secondary flower buds than plants of ‘Bartzella’.

‘RTPIV791-01’ can be compared to the commercial varietyPaeonia‘Morning Lilac’ unpatented. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-01’ are similar to plants of ‘Morning Lilac’ in most horticultural characteristics, as both are interspecific hybridPaeonias. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-01’ however, produce fully double, creamy pale yellow suffused with pink flowers, whereas flowers of ‘Morning Lilac’ are dark purple in color, with significantly less petals. Additionally, plants of the new variety have more secondary flower buds then ‘Morning Lilac’ plants.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘RTPIV791-01’ plants grown outdoors in Moissac, France. Plants are approximately 5 year old. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.Botanical classification:Paeonia lactiflora×P. luteahybrid ‘RTPIV791-01’.

PROPAGATION

Typically by shoot tissue culture.Root description: Freely branching storage root with numerous feeder roots. Roots various shades of tan and brown, not accurately measured with a color chart.

PLANT

FOLIAGE

FLOWER

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

Disease and pest resistance: Not observed to be susceptible nor resistant to normal diseases and pests ofPaeonia.Temperature tolerance: Typically USDA Zones 3 to 9.Fruit/seed production: Not observed.