← Back to Paeonia x lactiflora 'Carol'

Northwest Blooms · Perennials

Paeonia x lactiflora 'Carol'

Carol Peony

Paeonia x lactiflora 'Carol'
Height
30–36 inches tall
Width
24–30 inches wide
Flower color
Ruby-red fully double blooms with a neat rosette form; lightly fragrant
Foliage color
Deep glossy green, divided leaves
Bloom time
Early–mid season
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Water
Moderate
Maintenance
Low, remove spent blooms, cut foliage to ground after frost;
Growing zone
USDA zones 3a–8b
Wildlife
Fragrant blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators; deer- and rabbit-resistant

About this plant

Paeonia × lactiflora 'Carol' presents fully-double, cardinal-red blossoms arranged in a neat rosette, blooming in late spring. The petals remain uniformly red until they fall, and the flowers are supported on robust, upright stems that occasionally benefit from light staking after heavy rain. Glossy, divided foliage complements the blooms, creating a lush backdrop in garden beds or floral arrangements.

'Carol' is an heirloom hybrid rooted in early breeding efforts. The cultivar earned significant recognition, including the American Peony Society Best of Show and Gold Medal in 1968, affirming its excellence in form, color, and stem quality. With its sturdy stems and long-lasting blooms, 'Carol' is a favored choice for cut flower use and landscape appeal where bold red blooms are desired.

Works well in

Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Cut Flower Gardens

Companion plants

Catmint · Heucheras · Lady's mantle · Hellebores · Hardy geraniums · Hostas

Design tip

Foliage and form do most of the work here, so lean on texture and repetition rather than one flowering moment. It takes sun or light shade, which makes it useful along the changing light of a bed edge or a partly shaded border.

Where to see it

This plant can be seen at Peonies at Glencoe Farms.