Paeonia 'Sarah Bernhardt'

Common Name: Garden Peony

Gigantic, double, apple blossom pink flowers are an old fashioned favorite. This variety blooms in early to midsummer. 'Sarah Bernhardt' was selected as the 2004 Dried Cut Flower of the Year by the Assoc. of Specialty Cut Flower Growers.

Peonies are classic garden plants that add a bit of nostalgia and charm to the garden. Their fragrant blooms and lush foliage have made them popular for years, and with the recent resurgence in breeding, they will continue to improve. Peonies are simple to grow and can be utilized in many ways, including mass plantings, specimens, or hedges. By choosing a mixture of early, midseason, and late blooming varieties, you can have blooms for up to 6 weeks.

Height:

34.0 Inches

Spread:

24.0 Inches

Hardiness Zones:

3,4,5,6,7,8

Flower Color:

Pink shades

Foliage Color:

Green shades

Sunlight:

Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Low Water Needs Average Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Fertile Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Early Summer Midsummer

Critter Resistant:

Deer Resistant Rabbit Resistant

Seasonal Interest:

Dried Seed Heads

Growth Rate:

Medium

Garden Style:

Cottage Eclectic Formal

Other Features:

Border Plant Cut Flower Cut Foliage Dried Flower Drought Tolerant Easy To Grow Fragrant Flowers Mass Planting Salt Tolerant

Origin:

Not Native to North America

A permanent, sunny or partly shady site is ideal for Garden Peonies. Protection from afternoon sun and from harsh winds will help to prolong the lives of the the exotic flowers. Peonies will perform best in well-drained, evenly moist, rich soil with a pH near neutral and they are drought-tolerant once established.

When planting a Garden Peony, the depth is particularly important. To ensure flowering, the eyes must be planted 1.5 to 2 inches below ground level. An annual topping of compost is recommended each Fall. Though peonies may be slow to establish, you can be assured that they are developing a deep, substantial root system which will help to produce flowers that are well worth the wait. Once established, Peonies can live 50 years or more.

Awards

Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit -- 1993

Characteristics