Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
'Cornelia Shaylor'
peony
Paeonia 'Cornelia Shaylor' is a peony of soft, rounded elegance, producing large, fully double, globular flowers with the air of something carefully folded from silk. The blooms open pink, then slowly mellow to a delicate soft blush, revealing a white to cream heart and a subtle greenish tint at the base of the petals. This graceful colour shift gives Paeonia 'Cornelia Shaylor' a beautifully nuanced presence, never static and always worth a second look. In early summer borders, Paeonia 'Cornelia Shaylor' brings a calm, romantic glow that feels classic without becoming too prim, which is no small achievement for such a well-dressed flower.
Plant Paeonia 'Cornelia Shaylor' in fertile, well-drained soil, in a sunny or lightly shaded position where its generous flowers can be admired at close range. Its pale pink and creamy tones are wonderfully easy to pair with blue salvias, white foxgloves, silvery foliage and soft apricot roses, creating a border scheme with gentle depth and polish. The full blooms are also superb for cutting, adding a luxurious, old-world softness to arrangements indoors. Long-lived, refined and quietly impressive, Paeonia 'Cornelia Shaylor' is a peony for gardeners who appreciate subtle colour, generous form and just a whisper of vintage grandeur.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
- Paeonia lactiflora 'Cornelia Shaylor'
- Flower colour
- Pink, cream, white
- Established height
- 70cm-1m
- Established spread
- 70cm-1m
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- Yes
- Plant size
- 3/5 eyes
- Plant spacing
- 3 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- RHS Award (AGM)
- Yes
- Scented
- Yes
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Stony
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Large containers
Borders
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens
Cut flower gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade - Toxicity
- Harmful if eaten
- Years to establish
- 2-3 years
Expert care from
choice to delivery
Our horticulturalists prepare every bulb and plant with the utmost care. From selection to packing, each one receives expert attention before beginning its journey to your garden.