Paula Fay Peony

Paula Fay Peony (Paeonia 'Paula Fay')

Paula Fay Peony is a standout for early color, bringing a bright, fresh bloom season to sunny borders when spring is just hitting its stride. It is a long-lived perennial that settles in and improves each year, building a fuller clump and producing more blooms over time. The clear, lively flower color makes mixed plantings look energized without feeling overly formal. If you want an early peony with strong garden presence and great cut flower potential, Paula Fay is a great choice.

Distinctive Features

This herbaceous peony forms a sturdy mound of deep green, finely cut foliage and produces large, showy blooms in late spring to early summer, often on the earlier side for peonies. Paula Fay is known for vivid pink, semi-double flowers that open wide and show golden stamens for added warmth and contrast. The bloom form feels open and bright, and the flowers typically sit well above the foliage for a clean, high-impact display. After flowering, the foliage remains attractive through summer, keeping borders looking full and finished.

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 the crown just below the soil surface and avoid planting too deeply for reliable bloom.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Plant where the early bright blooms can kick off the peony season and draw attention from a main view.
• Perennial Borders: Use to add early, energetic color and lush structure among spring companions.
• Cut Flowers: Grow in a cutting garden for blooms that bring fresh color indoors at the start of peony season.
• Pollinator Friendly Borders: Open blooms with visible stamens can add early-season interest for pollinators.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water deeply during dry spells, especially in spring as buds form and after flowering as roots store energy.
• Support: Stems are often sturdy, but provide light support if plants lean after heavy rain in rich soil.
• 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 Paula Fay Peony?

• Early Season Color: Often blooms earlier than many peonies, extending the spring flower season.
• Vivid Pink Blooms: Bright flowers create a lively highlight that reads well in the landscape.
• Open Semi Double Form: Golden centers add warmth and a fresh, natural look.
• Long Lived Perennial: Establishes into a clump that returns reliably and improves over time.

Paula Fay Peony is a rewarding choice for gardeners who want an early bloom season with strong color and dependable performance. Give it sun, well-drained soil, and a permanent home where it can mature without disturbance. As it settles in, it will deliver bigger bloom seasons and a lush, finished presence that keeps borders looking polished through summer.