No support needed and it is a good bloomer. I've had it for 8 years or so and have divided it twice to give away portions, have it in a couple of places in my garden. There is no scent on this one so if you're looking for a classic fragrant peony I'd get something else. The pic below was from a couple of years ago and most flowers are still buts but gives a good idea of the growth habit. Sorry for the crappy looking foliage, that was a very bad hail year, but you can see how well it bloomed even with the adverse weather (May blizzard along with that June hail). Mine isn't really red, though--or at least not like Commando, Red Charm or Command Performance red. More of a really dark pink or magenta. Mine came from Gilbert Wild as well. If you're ordering from GW did you see their fall promotional? Get 10% off of $100 or more as well as free shipping, use promo code 17FC at checkout, have to order by 1 Sept to get that deal.

Be aware that the name is a commemoration of a battle during WWI in France. Marne is the name of a river.

Thanks Liz, that's exactly what I needed to know... and a discount also! Maifleur, the battle is the reason I want this particular peony.

GW has a greater mis-id rate than a lot of the big growers. They are very good about giving credit if any are found to be the wrong variety, though. I think you're safe with Victorie but I'd suggest labeling them all, just in case. They send very healthy roots, I've never had a problem with any of them health-wise and order from them every year. Hard to beat their prices....

With 67,000 killed or wounded at the first battle and 139,000 killed or wounded at the second battle I am slightly superstitious.