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.
This delightful hardy herbaceous peony is red-flowered, and named after the ever-popular Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt' (which is pale pink). However, this red version, aptly named Peony 'Red Sarah Bernhardt', is really quite unique, and has no obvious similarity, apart from the name. Growing to around 90cm in height, it produces masses of lightly scented, double flowers in late spring and early summer. The blooms, some 15-20cm across, comprise dark, pinkish-purple petals, tinged with red. When at their best, they will transform your beds, borders or patio containers.
Peony 'Red Sarah Bernhardt' is easy to grow, and is at its happiest sited in a neutral, free-draining soil in full sun. It is very well suited to indoor arranging, too. This peony, which was first introduced in China in 1980, has stood the test of time well. It does really pack a punch in the border and, once established, it will keep coming back year after year.
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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 'Red Sarah Bernhardt'
- Flower colour
- Red
- 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
- No
- 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
Paeonia 'Red Sarah Bernhardt' reviews
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