Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’

1 Aug

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 70cm

Eventual Spread: 70cm

Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Paeoniaceae

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ is a large flowered deciduous herbaceous perennial. Its dark green leaves are divided into up to nine lanceolate leaflets and up to 40cm long. Its stems are erect and arching. Its fragrant pink flowers are double, appear in the leaf axis terminally and are up to 20cm across. Its roots are tuberous.

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ Flower (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The species Paeonia lactiflora, commonly known as the Chinese Peony or Common Garden Peony, is native to east Tibet, north China and east Siberia.

The etymological root of the binomial name Paeonia is named after Paeon, a Greek physician of the gods who, in mythology, was changed into a flower by Pluto. Lactiflora is derived from the Latin lactis meaning ‘milk’ and flora ‘the goddess of flowers’, in reference to the species having white flower.

The landscape architect may find Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ useful as part of a herbaceous planting scheme with its attractive large fragrant flowers. This perennial is not attractive to deer or rabbits.

Ecologically, Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given the variety Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ Leaf (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ prefers moist, deep, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate dry soils.

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ requires little maintenance. Once planted the roots of this plant should not be disturbed.