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'