Paeonia lactiflora 'Coral Sunset'1 / 5

Key characteristics

Height
24–36 inches tall
Width
24–30 inches wide
Flower color
Semi-double coral‑pink blooms that fade through salmon and cream to pale yellow‑white
Foliage color
Glossy medium green divided foliage
Bloom time
Early to late spring
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Water
Moderate
Maintenance
Low, remove spent blooms; cut foliage to ground after first frost; sturdy stems rarely need staking
Growing zone
USDA zones 3–8
Wildlife
Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and general pollinators; deer- and rabbit-resistant; makes excellent cut flowers

Perennials

Paeonia lactiflora 'Coral Sunset'

Coral Sunset Peony

Paeonia lactiflora 'Coral Sunset' opens with bowl-shaped, semi-double blossoms in a glowing coral‑pink that gradually softens to peach‑ivory with age. It blooms in late spring to early summer, often producing its earliest blooms among herbaceous peonies. The lightly fragrant flowers are supported by sturdy upright stems that stand firm without staking, and their lush, ruffled petals combine to create a luminous, sunset-like aura in garden beds and vase arrangements.

Light
Full sun to partial shade
Water
Moderate
Bloom time
Early to late spring

Works well in

  • Borders
  • Cottage Gardens
  • Pollinator Gardens
  • Cut Flower Gardens

Companion plants

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

Design tip

The early flowers arrive when the garden is still waking up, so give it a spot you pass often in spring. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.

Where to see it

This plant can be seen at Peonies at Glencoe Farms.

More perennials