Garden Peony, Coral Sunset

Paeonia lactiflora 'Coral Sunset'

Height: 30-36in
Spread: 24-30in
Zone: 3-8
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Bloom Time/Color: May-June; coral pink with gold centers
Uses: Massing, borders, hedges
Maintenance: Low
Other: Fall color, fragrant, cut flower, rabbit/deer resistant

Peonies are a garden staple for northern gardeners. Their attractive blooms and varied use as a cut flower make them an important plant in the perennial border. 'Coral Sunset' has coral pink outer petals with rose overtones and gold center stamens. The gently aromatic flowers grow to 5½" wide. Peonies do best in moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Plants benefit from a thick layer of mulch going into winter and side dressings of compost every couple years can help bloom production. Overall, peonies are a very carefree plant that will reward the gardener with fragrant blooms for decades.