← Plant Guides

How to Grow Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt'

Wikimedia Commons

Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt'

Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt'

flower

Sarah Bernhardt is a classic double peony cultivar known for its large, fragrant, rose-pink blooms with darker pink outer petals and a lighter pink or nearly white center. This herbaceous peony is a long-lived perennial that produces stunning flowers in late spring to early summer and can thrive for decades with minimal care.

When should you plant Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt' in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt' timeline →

Example Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt' blooms

    Mid-to-late summer

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily for optimal blooming; tolerates partial shade but flowers better in full sun
💧
Water: Moderate and consistent moisture during growing season; water deeply at planting and during dry spells; reduce watering in fall and winter; avoid waterlogging
📏
Spacing: 36 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 2-3 years to full flowering capacity after planting; blooms appear in year 2-3
🌱
Planting depth: Plant eyes (buds) 1-2 inches below soil surface; too deep inhibits flowering

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost or aged manure Bone meal at planting Perlite or coarse sand if soil tends to be heavy

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-8, with best performance in zones 4-7

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a

Sign up free to see if Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt' grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.

Get my Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt' timeline →

Growth Stages

1

Establishment Year

First 12 months

Plant develops underground roots and rhizomes; minimal or small above-ground growth

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; avoid disturbing plant; remove any early flower buds to encourage root development

2

Vegetative Growth

Spring through early summer before flowering

Foliage emerges in spring, forming bushy mounds of deeply divided green leaves; plant establishes multiple stems

Provide sturdy support structure or peony ring early; feed with balanced fertilizer in early spring; mulch around base to retain moisture

3

Budding & Bloom Preparation

Late spring, 1-2 weeks before bloom

Large flower buds form at stem tips, displaying characteristic round, firm appearance before opening

Provide support to heavy buds; stake tall stems if needed; reduce high-nitrogen fertilizer to prevent excessive foliage at expense of flowers

4

Flowering

Late May through June, 10-14 days per bloom

Spectacular double blooms open progressively, displaying rose-pink petals with darker outer petals and fragrant centers; flowers are long-lasting

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage plant energy conservation; cut stems for arrangements in early morning when buds are firm; ensure adequate water during bloom

5

Post-Bloom & Senescence

Summer through fall until frost

Foliage remains green and attractive through summer and fall; plant stores energy in rhizomes for next season

Leave foliage intact until frost; apply balanced fertilizer after bloom to replenish reserves; cut back to ground level in late fall after leaves yellow and die back

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lavender Salvia Catmint (Nepeta) Bearded iris Daylily Allium Russian sage Coral bells (Heuchera)

Avoid planting near:

Shallow-rooted perennials that compete for water Walnut trees (produce juglone) Aggressive spreading plants like mint Plants requiring significantly different watering schedules

Common Pests

  • Prune out affected stems; apply dormant oil spray in late fall or early spring; ensure good air circulation

  • Spray with water to dislodge; apply miticide if severe; improve humidity around plant

  • Remove infected buds and foliage; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply fungicide if necessary

  • Generally beneficial; present for aphid honeydew; use sticky traps if needed; not typically harmful to peony

  • Remove affected flowers; spray with insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects

Uses

🍳

Ornamental Cut Flowers

Culinary

Sarah Bernhardt peonies are prized by florists and for home arrangements due to their large, fragrant, romantic blooms. They are a classic wedding and special event flower, often featured in bridal bouquets and formal arrangements. [source]

🏠

Fragrance & Perfumery

Household

The sweet, rose-like fragrance of Sarah Bernhardt blooms makes them valuable for fresh-cut flower arrangements and as a natural fragrance source. The scent is particularly strong in the morning and can perfume an entire room. [source]

🎨

Dried Flower Work & Crafts

Craft

Peony petals and blooms can be pressed or carefully dried for use in crafts, potpourri, or decorative arrangements. They retain color well when dried and can be used in herbal crafts and decorative projects. [source]

🦋

Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support

Wildlife

Peonies attract ants, bees, and other beneficial insects that contribute to garden biodiversity. The flowers provide pollen and nectar resources for various pollinators during late spring bloom. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Use

Medicinal

Peonies have been used in traditional medicine, particularly in Asian herbalism, for various purposes including supporting relaxation and well-being. Modern research continues to explore bioactive compounds in peony. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Cut blooms in early morning when buds are still slightly firm and pink with just a hint of opening; cut stems at a 45-degree angle above a leaf joint; leave at least two sets of leaves on the plant to support regrowth; blooms will continue opening indoors; remove lower leaves before placing in water; blooms last 7-10 days in a vase

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 The 'Sarah Bernhardt' cultivar was named after the famous French actress Sarah Bernhardt and first introduced in 1906, making it over 115 years old and still one of the most popular peony varieties worldwide.
  • 🌱 Peonies are extremely long-lived perennials and can bloom for 50-100+ years with minimal maintenance; some established peonies in historic gardens have been documented flowering for over two centuries.
  • 🌱 The distinctive ants attracted to peony buds feed on the sweet nectar-like secretions but do not harm the buds; contrary to popular myth, ants are not required for blooms to open, though they may be attracted to the flowers.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade Perennial
Shop Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt' plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt' planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt' seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt' timeline →