Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt' (Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt')

Botanical name

Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt'

Other names

Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt'

Genus

Paeonia Paeonia

Variety or Cultivar

'Sarah Bernhardt' _ 'Sarah Bernhardt' is a bushy, clump-forming, deciduous perennial with dark green leaves divided into nine elliptic or lance-shaped leaflets and, in late spring and early summer, strong, erect stems bearing large, fragrant, double, rose-pink flowers with ruffled inner petals.

Native to

Garden origin

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Bushy, Clump-forming, Erect flower stem

Toxicity

Any part of the plant may cause stomach discomfort if consumed.

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

Colour

Flower

Rose-pink in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn

How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Eelworms (leaf and bud) , Caterpillars , Swift moth larvae

Specific diseases

Peony wilt , Honey fungus

General care

Pruning

Deadhead regularly. Cut back in autumn after the leaves have died down.

Propagation methods

Division

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt' (Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt')

Common pest name

Ash yellows

Scientific pest name

Candidatus Phytoplasma fraxini

Type

Phytoplasma

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Pathogen causing phytoplasma disease of certain tree species in the Americas. EU regulation already provides some mitigation against the risk of introduction; but could be further strengthened.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt' (Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt')

Common pest name

Stunt nematode; Tobacco stunt nematode

Scientific pest name

Tylenchorhynchus claytoni

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous nematode pest already present in UK; particularly damaging to Azaleas at present; but could move into crops such as maize and forestry crops (Pinus) in the longer term. Need to raise awareness amongst relevant sectors.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt' (Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt') will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.9m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Underplanting

Cultivation

Plant in moist, humus-rich, free-draining soil in full sun to partial shade. May take a while to establish before flowering; moving the plant will disrupt flowering for this reason.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3