Scarlett O'Hara Peony

Scarlett O'Hara Peony (Paeonia 'Scarlett O'Hara')

Scarlett O'Hara Peony brings bold, early-season color to sunny borders with an open bloom style that feels fresh and full of energy. It is a long-lived perennial that settles in and improves each year, building a fuller clump and producing more blooms over time. The vivid red flowers stand out from a distance and pair beautifully with crisp whites and soft pastels for high contrast spring design. If you want a peony with strong landscape impact and a lighter, more natural flower form, this one is a great choice.

Distinctive Features

This herbaceous peony forms a sturdy mound of deep green, finely cut foliage and produces large, single to semi-double blooms in late spring, often earlier than many double varieties. Scarlett O'Hara is known for bright red flowers with a prominent center of golden stamens, creating a striking, open look that feels lively in the garden. The flower form can be especially attractive to pollinators during bloom season, adding movement and interest to spring borders. 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 red blooms and golden centers can be appreciated up close as an early peony-season highlight.
• Perennial Borders: Use to add early, high-energy color and lush green structure among spring companions.
• Pollinator Friendly Borders: Open blooms with visible stamens can add early-season interest for pollinators.
• Cut Flowers: Harvest blooms for simple, bold arrangements with a fresh garden feel.

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 Scarlett O'Hara Peony?

• Vivid Red Color: Bright blooms create dramatic contrast and strong spring impact.
• Open Flower Form: Golden centers add warmth and a fresh, natural look in the landscape.
• Early Season Interest: Often blooms early, helping extend the peony season in the garden.
• Long Lived Perennial: Establishes into a clump that returns reliably and improves over time.

Scarlett O'Hara Peony is a rewarding choice for gardeners who want bold spring color with a lighter, more natural flower style. 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.