Peonies

Paeonia lactiflora 'Bowl of Beauty' is one of the more common varieties of this garden favourite, and it pretty hardy. I've had little luck with peonies in general: they either simply don't bloom, or they die. There seems to be some evil little boring worm which attacks their stems, proving fatal to the plants. This one is now in its fouth year, but hasn't produced its usual abundance and quality of blooms.