Paeonia lactiflora 'Paula Fay'

Paula Fay Peony

Height: 24–36 inches
Width: 18–36 inches
Flower color: Bright, vibrant hot-pink to deep pink semi-double blooms with golden-yellow centers
Foliage color: Glossy medium to dark green
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Light: Full sun
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low, remove spent blooms, cut foliage to ground after frost, mulch before winter
Growing zone: USDA zones 3–8 (some extend to zone 9)
Wildlife: Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators; resistant to deer and rabbits; excellent for cut flower use

About this plant

Paeonia lactiflora 'Paula Fay' unfurls semi-double blossoms of bright hot pink with a warm golden-yellow stamen cluster at its center in late spring to early summer. Each bloom sits atop a strong, self-supporting stem and carries a delicate, sweet fragrance, making it an excellent choice for floral arrangements and garden beds alike. Following the bloom, the glossy, divided foliage remains lush throughout the season.

Introduced in 1968 by Orville Fay and recognized with the American Peony Society's Gold Medal in 1988, 'Paula Fay' is a reliable and vigorous hybrid. It forms compact, productive clumps and is valued for its high cut-flower yield and pollinator-friendly pollen. Its long vase life, when cut at bud stage, and its resilience make it a favored selection for both seasoned gardeners and florists.

Works well in

Borders · Sun Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Hummingbird Gardens · Cut Flower Gardens

Companion plants

Black-eyed Susans · Daylilies · Lavender · Coreopsis · Russian sage · Sedums

Design tip

Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Give it open sun and room to fill out, and repeat it in threes or fives so the planting reads as one sweep instead of scattered dots.

Where to see it

This plant can be seen at Peonies at Glencoe Farms.