Sarah Bernhardt Peony

Sarah Bernhardt Peony (Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt')

Sarah Bernhardt Peony is a true garden classic, bringing a romantic late spring bloom season that feels timeless in almost any landscape style. It is a long-lived perennial that settles in and improves each year, building a fuller clump and producing more blooms over time. The soft pink flowers look polished in mixed borders and make outstanding cut flowers for the home. If you want a dependable peony with a traditional look and a long track record of performance, this one is an excellent choice.

Distinctive Features

This herbaceous peony forms a sturdy mound of deep green, finely cut foliage and produces large, full double blooms in late spring to early summer. Sarah Bernhardt is known for soft pink, ruffled flowers that read lush and elegant, often with a gentle fragrance that adds to the experience near patios and walkways. The blooms are showy and can be heavy, creating a premium look in the landscape and in arrangements. After flowering, the foliage remains attractive through summer, giving the plant long season value as a full, clean border presence.

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 soft pink blooms can be enjoyed up close and become the highlight of the spring border.
• Perennial Borders: Use to add a romantic bloom season and lush green structure among companion plants.
• Cut Flowers: Grow in a cutting garden for large, fragrant blooms that create a polished indoor arrangement.
• Foundation Planting: Place in front of evergreens or shrubs for contrast and a refined seasonal 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 to keep flowers upright 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 Sarah Bernhardt Peony?

• Iconic Bloom Form: Ruffled double flowers deliver the classic peony look gardeners love.
• Soft Pink Color: Romantic tones pair easily with whites, blues, purples, and fresh greens.
• Fragrant Appeal: Scented blooms add extra enjoyment near patios and walkways.
• Great for Arrangements: Large blooms make polished cut flowers that bring the garden indoors.

Sarah Bernhardt Peony is a rewarding choice for gardeners who want classic beauty with long-term reliability. Give it sun, well-drained soil, and a permanent home where it can mature without disturbance. As the clump strengthens each year, it will deliver bigger bloom seasons and a lush, finished presence that keeps borders looking composed.