Paeonia L. ‘Sarah Bernhardt Red’ 2Gal

Latin Name: Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’

Common Name: Sarah Bernhardt Peony / Chinese Peony / Garden Peony

Zones: 3-8

Height & Spread: 30-36 inches tall, spreading 24-36 inches wide

Descriptive Features: One of the most popular and classic heirloom peonies, bred by Lemoine of France, introduced in 1906, and named for the famous French actress. Huge, fully double, ruffled flowers 5-7 inches across open a soft rose to shell pink, often with a ruffled, silvery-white edge to the petals, and carry a strong, sweet fragrance. Big, round buds form by mid-May and open in late spring to early summer, late in the peony season, and the blooms are outstanding for cutting. Deeply cut, clean, deep green foliage forms a tall, shrub-like clump that stays attractive all summer, and stems die back to the ground after frost. The heavy flowers can pull stems to the ground in rain, so a peony ring or grow-through support is recommended. Prefers full sun to part shade in deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil, with the crown planted no deeper than 1-2 inches. Needs winter chill, performing best in Zones 5-7, and is long-lived and best left undisturbed. Attracts butterflies and is deer- and rabbit-resistant. Mildly toxic if eaten. An excellent choice for borders, cottage and cutting gardens, fragrance gardens, and mass plantings in full sun to part shade.