Paeonia 'Sarah Bernhardt' (Peony)

Delivery August/September
Available for delivery in August/September, when the autumn planting season begins.

1 bare roots
£10.79
£10.79 each
3 bare roots
£30.39
£10.13 each
Save 6%
5 bare roots
£49.19
£9.84 each
Save 9%

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Sarah Bernhardt, often admired for its rose pink colouring, is a bare root variety especially well suited to borders.

Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt' is the sort of herbaceous peony that never goes out of fashion. From late spring into early summer, it produces generously double, rose-pink blooms with a gentle fragrance—sumptuous in the border, and utterly proper in a vase.

Plant bare roots in autumn and allow this clump-forming perennial time to settle; it rewards patience with increasingly impressive flowering over the years. Best in a sheltered spot with deep, fertile, humus-rich soil that holds moisture without becoming waterlogged.

  • Flower: Double, rose pink, lightly fragrant
  • Season of interest: May–June
  • For: Borders, cottage gardens, cutting gardens; charming beneath roses and shrubs
  • Position: Full sun to partial sun, sheltered
Botanical name Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt'
Flower colour Rose pink
Bulb size N/A (bare root)
Established height 90cm
Established spread 50–100cm
Plant spacing 60–90cm
Leaf colour Mid green
Habit Clump-forming
Life cycle Perennial
Hardiness Fully Hardy
Years to establish 2–3 years
Sunlight Full-Sun, Partial Sun
Position Sheltered
Suitable for Borders, Cottage gardens, Cutting garden, Underplanting roses and shrubs
Soil acidity Any
Soil moisture Moist but well-drained
Soil type Deep, fertile, humus-rich
RHS Award (AGM) AGM
Growing skill Easy
Pollinator-friendly Yes
Deer resistant No

Where to Plant:

Paeonia 'Sarah Bernhardt' (Peony) needs full-sun, partial sun and a warm, sheltered position for the best flowering. Plant into fertile, humus-rich soil that drains well, and choose a spot protected from strong winds, especially for taller varieties.

How to Plant:

Plant bare root from September to December once conditions are suitable. Set them at the correct depth for the variety, spacing 60–90cm apart where relevant, then firm in gently and water well after planting.

Aftercare:

Water regularly in dry weather and feed every two to three weeks once buds appear. Stake taller stems early and deadhead to keep plants flowering. After flowering, allow foliage to die back naturally before lifting or protecting bare root according to local conditions.

Planting and Flowering Calendar

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Planting
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Key Features

Packed in paper

Packed peat-free

Great for Shade

Attracts wildlife

Fragrant

RHS Award (AGM)

Good for cutting

Naturalising

Paeonia 'Sarah Bernhardt' (Peony) - Harding & Bloom

Paeonia 'Sarah Bernhardt' (Peony)

£10.79

£10.79

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Kind Words from Our Gardeners

Arrived quickly and well-packaged. Planted them in some pots on the patio and they all came up. Look beautiful. Thank you!

Careane Wallace

Oxfordshire, UK

The bulbs arrived beautifully packaged and you could just tell they were excellent quality. We had the most wonderful display of daffodils this spring on our patio. Simply stunning. Will definitely be ordering again

David P

Kent, UK

I ordered the mixed hyacinth collection and the scent in my garden this April was absolutely heavenly. Every single bulb produced a strong, beautiful flower and the colours were stunning together. A fantastic purchase, I'll be back for more next year!

Eleanor R

Somerset