​The Peonies Everyone Asks Me About: Sarah Bernhardt Peonies


If you found this post from Instagram, welcome! ๐ŸŒธ

The answer is:

The peonies growing in my garden are Sarah Bernhardt peonies.

Every June, these beautiful blooms become the most talked-about flowers in my garden. Their giant ruffled flowers, sweet fragrance, and incredible vase life make them one of the most popular peony varieties in the world—and for good reason.

Why I Love Sarah Bernhardt Peonies

I’ve been growing these peonies for years, and they never disappoint.

What makes them so special?

๐ŸŒธ Large, fully double blooms

๐ŸŒธ Beautiful soft pink petals

๐ŸŒธ Incredible fragrance

๐ŸŒธ Long-lived plants that can thrive for decades

๐ŸŒธ Excellent cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements

Each spring, I eagerly watch for the first buds to appear. By early summer, the garden is filled with massive blooms that are just as beautiful indoors as they are outside.

My Favorite Way to Enjoy Them

One of my favorite things to do is cut a few stems and bring them indoors.

A simple vase filled with fresh Sarah Bernhardt peonies instantly brightens up a room and fills the house with fragrance.

If you’re growing peonies, don’t be afraid to cut them. In fact, harvesting blooms can encourage you to enjoy all the beauty you’ve worked so hard to grow.

How to Grow Beautiful Peonies

Plant In Full Sun

Peonies perform best when they receive at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.

Don’t Plant Too Deep

One of the most common reasons peonies fail to bloom is because they are planted too deeply.

The eyes (buds) should only be about 1–2 inches below the soil surface.

Be Patient

Peonies can take a few years to become established, but once they do, they reward you with bigger and better blooms every season.

Support Heavy Blooms

Sarah Bernhardt peonies are known for their huge flowers, which can become heavy after rain.

Using peony supports or plant rings helps keep stems upright and looking their best.

Leave The Foliage Until Fall

After blooming, the foliage continues feeding the roots for next year’s flowers.

Resist the urge to cut it back until fall.

Why Aren’t My Peonies Blooming?

If your peonies have lots of leaves but no flowers, one of these may be the reason:

• Too much shade

• Planted too deeply

• Recently divided or transplanted

• Too much nitrogen fertilizer

• Plants are still becoming established

My Favorite Peony Gardening Products

These are a few items I use every season:

[Insert Affiliate Link] Peony plant supports

[Insert Affiliate Link] Floral snips

[Insert Affiliate Link] Garden gloves

[Insert Affiliate Link] Large glass vase

[Insert Affiliate Link] Flower fertilizer

[Insert Affiliate Link] Garden kneeling pad

Final Thoughts

If I could only grow one peony variety in my garden, Sarah Bernhardt would be at the top of my list.

They’re reliable, beautiful, fragrant, and produce some of the most breathtaking blooms you’ll ever see.

It’s easy to see why they’re the most asked-about flowers in my garden every June. ๐ŸŒธ


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