Pink Sarah Bernhardt Peony

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

3 Feet

Mature Spread

2 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 8

The “Sarah Bernhardt” Peony, Paeonia Sarah Bernhardt, is a beloved peony worldwide, with large double ruffles in vivid rose-pink. It is as well-known for its captivating aroma as it is for its size. Sarah Bernhardt’s are tall-growing, between 30-36 inches, with compacted stems that hold glorious, round buds that blossom into mammoth showy flowers by late May. They are favorite cut flowers, and like their namesake, legendary stage actress Sarah Bernhardt, these peonies will not soon be forgotten.

Like all peonies, this one is deer and rabbit resistant, cold hardy and very long-lived. Some plants live for over a century. Sarah Bernhardt buds secrete a sweet nectar that attracts pollinators of all kinds and are a favorite of bees. An added bonus is that the peony foliage remains a beautiful shade of deep green, even after the flower has bloomed. They are low-maintenance flowers that require minimal effort to create lovely, elegant blooms.

Pink Sarah Bernhardt Peony Care

Sarah Bernhardt Peonies should be planted in the fall in areas where they will receive sun or partial shade. Before planting, the soil should be alkaline and enriched with compost and high-phosphorus fertilizer, especially heavy soils. Tubers should be set 1 to 2 inches below the surface of the soil with the buds pointing upward. It is important to keep the soil evenly moist and well-drained after planting. Peonies need regular, deep watering, especially during hot summer months. Be sure to support your Sarah Bernhardt peonies to prevent their heavy heads from drooping.

Sarah Bernhardt Peonies should be deadheaded in the late spring. Additionally, it is important to remove fallen petals and blooms from the growing area. You should leave the stems and foliage until the fall to help nourish the plant for the following year. In the fall, after the foliage has started to die down, peonies should be cut to the ground after the first frost. In the spring, new growth will appear from the roots.

Pink Sarah Bernhardt Peony Spacing

Peonies produce gorgeous clumps that are perfect for mixed beds and borders. They also provide a beautiful green background to shorter spring bulbs and flowers. Peonies are great for mass plantings, and using them as cut flowers in bouquets and arrangements helps keep the plants healthy for decades to come.

Quick Specs

• Light: full sun (6+ hours); light afternoon shade in hot summer regions

• Height/Spread: about 30–36 inches tall, 24–36 inches wide

• Bloom: late spring to early summer; fully double, sweetly fragrant pink flowers

• Soil: fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline

• Water: deep, occasional watering; keep evenly moist while establishing

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8

• Uses: borders, cutting gardens, cottage gardens; exceptional cut flower

• Wildlife/Resistance: attracts pollinators before petals fully open; generally deer resistant

Pink Sarah Bernhardt Peony FAQs

What makes Sarah Bernhardt special?

It’s a classic for its huge, fully double pink blooms, strong fragrance, and reliable performance. Plants are long-lived perennials that return each spring and often improve with age, making them favorites for cutting and for anchoring mixed borders.

When and how should I plant it?

Plant bare roots in fall, about six weeks before the ground freezes. Choose a sunny, well-drained spot and set the eyes 1–2 inches below the soil surface (shallower in warmer zones). Space plants about 3 feet apart for good airflow and future growth.

How do I care for peonies through the season?

Water deeply during dry spells, especially the first year. In early spring, apply a light dose of balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer or compost. Deadhead spent blooms and, after frost in fall, cut foliage to the ground to tidy the clump and reduce disease carryover.

Do Sarah Bernhardt peonies need staking?

Large, fully double flowers can be heavy, especially after rain. A peony ring or discreet stakes placed early in spring will keep stems upright and the blooms on display.

Can I grow it in a container?

It’s possible but not ideal. Peonies prefer the open ground where roots can spread and stay cool. If you try a container, use a large, deep pot with excellent drainage and expect more frequent watering and eventual transplanting to the garden.

Why didn’t my peony bloom?

Common reasons include planting too deep (eyes buried more than 2 inches), too little sun, immature plants, or overly rich nitrogen feeding that favors leaves over flowers. Correcting depth and ensuring full sun typically solves it by the next season.