Paeonia 'Red Sarah Bernhardt' (Peony)

Dispatch begins week of 14 September
Autumn planting varieties are seasonal and become available at the start of September. We will then prepare your order and begin dispatch during the week beginning Monday 14 September.

Choose your pack size Long-term display; savings vs smallest pack
1 bare root
Planting coverageOne long-lived peony specimen
£11.79
£11.79 each
3 bare roots
Most popular Creates a generous peony group
£31.99
£10.66 each
Save 10% each
5 bare roots
Best value Builds a statement peony border
£50.19
£10.04 each
Save 15% each

Free delivery on £40+ orders

Carbon-Neutral Delivery

Bloom or Bust Guarantee

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

Paeonia 'Red Sarah Bernhardt' is a handsome, traditional peony with indulgently full, double blooms in rich deep pink-red tones. It brings a wonderfully composed grandeur to the border, with lush mid-green foliage and a generous, clump-forming habit that looks elegant from spring onwards.

Planted in autumn as a bare root, this perennial settles in quietly and rewards patience—taking a couple of seasons to reach its best. In May through July, the flowers are superb for cutting: generous, romantic heads that sit beautifully in a vase and lend a classic note to arrangements.

  • Ideal for: borders and the cutting garden
  • Flowering: May–July
  • Height: 80–100cm (with a spread of 60–90cm)
  • Position: sheltered; full sun or partial sun
  • Soil: moist but well-drained loam; any pH
  • Hardiness: fully hardy
Botanical name Paeonia 'Red Sarah Bernhardt'
Flower colour Deep pink-red
Bulb size N/A (bare root)
Established height 80-100cm
Established spread 60-90cm
Plant spacing 60cm
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, Cutting Garden
Soil acidity Any
Soil moisture Moist but well-drained
Soil type Loam
RHS Award (AGM) No
Growing skill Easy
Pollinator-friendly Yes
Deer resistant No

Where to Plant:

Paeonia 'Red 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 60cm 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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Key Features

Packed in paper

Packed peat-free

Great for Shade

Attracts wildlife

Good for cutting

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

Paeonia 'Red Sarah Bernhardt' (Peony)

£11.79

£11.79

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If a bulb or plant fails to perform in its first growing season after the care instructions have been followed, we will normally offer a replacement or store credit for the affected item. This does not affect your statutory rights.

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