Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt' is a beloved heirloom peony known for its large, double rose pink blooms that exude a light sweet fragrance. With a long bloom time and excellent cut flower quality, it is a timeless favorite in cottage and formal gardens alike.
Height & Spread: 34 - 36 in x 24 - 36 in
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Light Requirements: Full sun to part sun
Soil Preference: Rich, well drained soils with moderate fertility
Watering Needs: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture, especially during bud development
Deer Resistance: Moderate
Native Status
This cultivar is a classic hybrid developed in France in the early 1900s and is widely cultivated across temperate zones.
Wildlife & Insects
Bees
- Attracts honeybees and native solitary bees with its ample pollen early in the growing season.
Butterflies
- Occasionally visited by butterflies such as Painted Ladies and Red Admirals that are drawn to its open blooms.
Beneficial Insects
- Supports a range of pollinating insects including hoverflies and parasitic wasps during its bloom period.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 24 - 36 in apart to allow for full bloom development and good air circulation.
Landscape Placement
- Well suited to perennial borders, foundation plantings, and as a focal point in cutting gardens or formal designs.
Companion Plants
- Delphinium elatum (Hybrid Delphinium) - Provides vertical contrast and rich blues that enhance the soft pink peony blooms.
- Geranium 'Rozanne' (Hardy Geranium) - Offers a long season of blue blooms and groundcover effect around peony bases.
- Lupinus polyphyllus (Lupine) - Spires of bold color and texture complement the lush fullness of peony flowers.
- Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove) - Adds vertical elegance and shaded charm beneath taller peony cultivars.
- Campanula persicifolia (Peachleaf Bellflower) - Delicate bell shaped blooms bloom in sequence with peonies for a harmonious palette.