Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt'
Sarah Bernhardt Peony
- Family
- Paeoniaceae
- Height
- 30–36 inches
- Width
- 30–36 inches
- Flower color
- Soft shell pink; large, fully double blooms with ruffled inner petals
- Foliage color
- Glossy green; deeply lobed leaves
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moist, well-drained soil
- Maintenance
- Low; remove spent flowers to promote reblooming and cut back foliage after it dies down in fall
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 3–8
- Wildlife
- Attracts butterflies
About this plant
Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt' is one of the most popular and classic peony varieties, known for its large, fully double flowers and lovely fragrance. The blooms are a soft, blush-pink with pale, creamy undertones and are densely packed with petals that create a rounded, full appearance. The plant's large, fragrant flowers make it a favorite for both ornamental gardens and cut flower arrangements, as they maintain their beauty for days after being harvested.
'Sarah Bernhardt' thrives in well-drained, fertile soil and full sun, where it grows into a bushy, rounded mound. Once established, it is relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate periods of drought. With its graceful blooms, delightful fragrance, and strong growth habit, 'Sarah Bernhardt' remains a timeless and dependable choice for adding both beauty and fragrance to any garden.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Rain Gardens · Cut Flower Gardens
Companion plants
Ferns · Astilbes · Foxgloves · Bergenias · Sedums · Columbines
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. It takes sun or light shade, which makes it useful along the changing light of a bed edge or a partly shaded border.
