Sarah Bernhardt
A classic double pink peony with large, scented blooms and a reliable garden habit.
When to plant Peonies in London
Paeonia spp.
Hardy perennial for a sheltered UK border in fertile, free-draining soil. Plant crowns shallowly, keep the site undisturbed, and expect the best flowering once plants have settled in for a few years.
90 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water
Calibrated to London · average last frost around 4 Apr
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant out | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
01
Plant Crowns Shallowly
26 Sept to 24 NovPlant bare-root crowns around 26th September - 24th November in fertile, free-draining soil. Set the buds no more than below the surface. Space plants apart. Choose a permanent spot. Do not move them. Deeper planting is why they fail to flower.
02
Water In and Establish
26 Sept to 21 Aug 2027 Dates as each sowing reaches this stageWater well after planting, then keep the soil moist through the first growing season, from 26th September to 21st August 2027. Water at the base in dry spells. Do not leave the soil soggy. Established plants do not need routine watering.
03
Support Heavy Stems
5 Mar to 25 Apr 2027From 5th March 2027, put hoops or canes in before the stems reach . It is easier than propping up a full plant later. Leave the supports in through flowering.
04
Deadhead Spent Blooms
25 Apr to 18 Jun 2027Deadhead fading blooms from 25th April 2027 to 18th June 2027. Cut each spent flower back to a strong leaf. Leave the foliage in place to feed the root.
05
Cut Back Herbaceous Growth
27 Oct to 24 Nov 2027Cut the stems down only once the tops have yellowed and died, during 27th October - 24th November 2027. Clear old stems and fallen leaves to reduce peony wilt.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Peony to consider
Bowl of Beauty
An anemone-flowered type with pink outer petals and a creamy centre, often good for cutting.
Duchesse de Nemours
A well-known white double peony with strong stems and a good scent.
Karl Rosenfield
A deep red double peony that flowers well in a sunny border.
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Peony guides by town
See how Peony timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.