Bowl of Cream Peony

Bowl of Cream Peony (Paeonia lactiflora 'Bowl of Cream')

Bowl of Cream Peony is a classic choice for gardeners who want a clean, elegant bloom that lifts the look of any sunny border. The large flowers feel refined and timeless, and the plant builds a fuller clump over time, returning each year with more blooms. It is a great way to brighten mixed plantings and create a calm, high-end palette without relying on constant color changes. If you want a long-lived perennial that looks just as good in the landscape as it does in a vase, this peony fits beautifully.

Distinctive Features

This herbaceous peony forms a lush mound of deep green, finely cut foliage and produces large, full double blooms in late spring to early summer. Bowl of Cream is known for creamy white flowers with a soft, layered look that reads crisp and fresh in the garden. The blooms often open from rounded buds into broad, ruffled flowers that feel substantial and showy without being loud. Foliage stays attractive through summer, helping borders look finished after flowering ends.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part sun, with at least 6 hours of sun for best flowering.
• Soil: Rich, well-drained soil is ideal, with compost added to improve structure and drainage.
• Water: Water regularly during establishment, then provide consistent moisture during dry stretches, avoiding soggy soil.
• USDA Zones: 3 to 8.
• Planting Depth: Set eyes just below the soil surface to support reliable blooming.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Plant where the creamy blooms can be appreciated up close, such as near patios, paths, or entry gardens.
• White Garden: Use to build a calm, light-toned palette with white and green companions in sunny borders.
• Cut Flowers: Grow in a cutting garden for large, elegant blooms that hold well in arrangements.
• Foundation Planting: Place in front of evergreens or shrubs to create a layered look with a bright spring highlight.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water deeply during dry spells, especially in spring as buds form and after flowering as roots store energy.
• Staking: Support heavy blooms with rings or stakes if stems lean after rain.
• Feeding: Top-dress with compost in spring and avoid heavy nitrogen that can reduce flowering.
• Fall Cleanup: Cut stems back to the ground after frost and remove debris to keep the planting clean.

Why Choose Bowl of Cream Peony?

• Elegant White Blooms: Creamy double flowers bring a clean, refined look to spring borders.
• Timeless Style: Works with almost any color palette, from soft pastels to bold contrasts.
• Long Lived Perennial: Establishes into a clump that returns reliably and improves over time.
• Great for Arrangements: Large blooms make a polished cut flower for home displays and events.

Bowl of Cream Peony is a rewarding plant for gardeners who want classic beauty with long-term reliability. Give it sun, well-drained soil, and a permanent spot where it can mature without disturbance. As the clump grows stronger, it will deliver bigger bloom seasons and a lush, finished look year after year.