Pink peonies are the heart of the genus. They run from the palest blush, almost white at the edges, through shell pink to a vivid magenta. Many are strongly scented, which is part of why they are cut so widely.
Pinks to look for
- 'Sarah Bernhardt', a famous soft pink double raised in France in the early 1900s, is often grown and cut.
- 'Bowl of Beauty' is a Japanese-type bloom with a pink ring and a creamy centre.
- Coral pinks, with a hint of peach, are a favourite of florists when they are in season.
Pink flowers can bleach a little in the sun, and wet weather bruises the petals on large doubles, so a sheltered position works well.
Growing in the southern half of the country
Herbaceous peonies need a cold winter to set buds, so they thrive in Tasmania, the Victorian and NSW highlands, Canberra and parts of South Australia such as the Adelaide Hills. In warm, humid coastal gardens they tend to disappoint. Plant bare-root crowns in winter, keep the buds shallow and be patient. Flowers open from October into November, a good match for spring weddings and for the lead-up to Christmas, since late blooms can still be around in early December in cold districts.
Cut pink peonies
Pick or buy them in bud, put them in cool, clean water and trim the stems. A bunch opens fully within a day or two and generally lasts about a week.
Vases at nose height
Peony is listed by the ASPCA as toxic to dogs and cats, causing vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy. Place vases high and ring your vet if a pet has chewed on stems or petals.
