Paeonia 'Sarah Bernhardt'
Best low-maintenance perennial for gardeners seeking fragrant, deer-resistant floral displays.
The Paeonia 'Sarah Bernhardt' is a stunning, award-winning perennial that brings effortless beauty to any garden. Known for its large, frilly, blush-pink double blooms, this variety offers a captivating color transition throughout the seasons, from reddish hues in early spring to soft pink in summer and bronze-purple tones in fall. It's virtually carefree once established, resistant to common pests and insects, and makes an excellent centerpiece or long-lasting cut flower, providing multi-seasonal interest with its fragrance and vibrant blooms.
$21.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
28
/ 2524
#28 in Flowers
Price vs Category Average
-46%
Below average
Genus
Paeonia
/ Paeonia
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking a dramatic, fragrant centerpiece for spring landscapes
- Homeowners looking for a low-maintenance, long-term floral investment
- Floral designers wanting high-quality, long-lasting stems for arrangements
Who should skip it
- Gardeners preferring low-maintenance plants without staking requirements
- Impatient planters wanting immediate, full-scale blooming results
- Residents in humid climates prone to fungal plant diseases
Performance breakdown
Bloom aesthetic
Large, frilly double blooms deliver unmatched visual impact in any garden.
Maintenance ease
Virtually carefree once established, requiring minimal intervention for consistent seasonal performance.
Fragrance profile
Highly aromatic blooms provide a delightful sensory experience for outdoor living spaces.
Pest resistance
Robust natural defenses keep common garden insects and deer at bay.
Seasonal versatility
Dynamic color shifts offer visual interest from early spring through autumn.
Cut flower utility
Sturdy stems and long-lasting blooms make these perfect for indoor arrangements.
Key Specs
Genus
Paeonia
Variety
'Sarah Bernhardt'
Item Form
Bareroot
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2 - 8
Mature Height
2.5 feet
Mature Width
2.5 feet
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Bloom Color
Pink, Purple
Features
- Award-winning Royal Horticultural Society selection
- Highly fragrant, large double blooms
- Offers color variation across seasons
- Excellent for cut flower arrangements
- Resistant to insects and pests
- Attracts pollinators and butterflies
- Low maintenance perennial
- Deer resistant
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality and reliable performance of the 'Sarah Bernhardt' peony. The primary delight centers on the stunning, large, fragrant blooms that reliably appear year after year, confirming the plant's robust genetics and true to type nature. While some initial concerns about the size of the starter root are occasionally noted, the overwhelming consensus is that the plant establishes quickly and delivers outstanding garden value, making it a highly recommended classic for its enduring beauty and ease of growth.
Know before you buy
A bareroot plant is shipped without soil around its roots while in a dormant state. This allows the plant to establish itself directly into your garden soil, often resulting in a stronger, more resilient root system compared to container-grown plants.
Since this variety reaches a mature height and width of 2.5 feet, you should space them at least 30 inches apart. This ensures proper air circulation, which helps keep the foliage healthy and prevents fungal issues.
Peonies often take a season or two to fully establish their root systems before producing their best blooms. While you may see some growth in the first year, you can expect the most impressive, large double flowers starting in the second or third year.
The 'Sarah Bernhardt' produces heavy, double blooms that can sometimes cause the stems to lean, especially after heavy rain. It is often helpful to use a peony ring or a support hoop early in the spring to keep the stems upright as they grow.
Yes, they are excellent cut flowers. For the longest vase life, cut the stems when the buds are soft and feel like a marshmallow, but have not yet fully opened.
Yes, peonies are generally unpalatable to deer, making them a reliable choice for gardens in areas with high wildlife traffic. While no plant is 100% deer-proof, this variety is rarely targeted by browsing animals.
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$22