[Niva/Snelson 1999]  Lactiflora: This pretty peony offers an abundance of scarlet red double flowers with wonderful fragrance. An Oregon introduction, we had the pleasure of meeting the hybridizer's grand-daughter who corrected our pronunciation of Niva, with "Ni-" rhyming with "eye." A prolific bloomer, this variety sets numerous side buds which extend the bloom season. An attractive landscape variety that's also a lovely cut flower. Limited distribution makes this one difficult to find. Blooms early midseason.