Friday, June 7, 2013

Peony 'Coral Sunset'

My peony 'Coral Sunset' is blooming. She is beautiful!

Peony 'Coral Sunset'
The semi-double flowers are a lovely coral pink, with bright yellow stamens in the interior. This herbaceous peony is a hybrid of the Chinese species paeonia lactiflora with a cultivar of the European paeonia officinalis. The officinalis heritage lends it the unusual bright coloration, as well as early bloom time. It blooms together with or just after Japanese tree peonies, before the regular lactifloras have started. There are a variety of coral cultivars (Coral 'n Gold, Coral Charm, Pink Hawaiian Coral, ...) with similar coloring. 'Coral Sunset' is distinguished by having very large flower petals. All are, in my opinion, among the most beautiful herbaceous peonies out there.

Peony 'Coral Sunset'
'Coral Sunset' has a great plant habit, holding its flowers tall and proud, no flopping, even after heavy rain. My plant is just a tiny one-year old - it will get larger and have more blooms with time. It is said to be slightly fragrant, but I can't detect anything worth mentioning.

The deep coral cup-shaped buds are lovely too:

Peony 'Coral Sunset'


As the flower ages, it fades through a progression of soft beigey yellow and cream.

Peony 'Coral Sunset' - slightly sun-faded flower
Peony 'Coral Sunset' - very faded flower


 I think it looks lovely in all its color stages!

Filipendula hexapetala and peony 'Coral Sunset'

4 comments:

  1. Your peony 'Coral Sunset' is a beauty with a very special colour. Never saw this cultivar before.
    Have a nice weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've never seen Coral Sunset, either, but now that I have....oh for sure I NEED one. So beautiful.

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  3. Oh, Rebecca, these peonies look just like their name: coral! Very lovely shape of a bud.
    have a nice week!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I really appreciate this wonderful, informational review. Now I feel free to buy this plant. I always think of peonies as floozies, or perhaps drunken bridesmaids! I just do not appreciate flowers that lie down on the job! You have a wonderful day.

    ReplyDelete

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