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Sarah Bernhardt Peony

$5995 $13995
Size: 3 Gallon

Your Plants are Guaranteed to Grow

Your plants are guaranteed to arrive happy & healthy with our 1 Year Warranty. Your order will arrive healthy and stay healthy while they adapt to your climate. If your tree arrives damaged or dies within 30 days, we'll replace it for free. If it dies after 30 days, but before 1 year, we will replace it for just 50% of the current price.

Free Shipping on All Orders

Relax... we've got you covered with free shipping on every order! We ship out so many huge plants, we've negotiated a low rate with our carriers... and we pass those savings on to you! Your plants will ship out the next business day... expertly packed so that your plants will arrive happy and healthy!

Is Now a Good Time to Plant?

Yes! Fall is one of the best times to plant!

Landscaping experts often recommend planting in fall instead of waiting until spring. Here’s why:

  • Cooler weather puts less stress on newly planted trees and shrubs.
  • Fall soil is still warm, which helps roots grow and get established.
  • Cooler temperatures mean less water is lost through the leaves, making it easier for plants to stay hydrated.
  • Even after top growth slows for winter, roots continue developing below ground.
  • Fall weather often brings more rain and less heat, making new plants easier to care for.
  • By spring, your plants already have a head start. Their established roots can support strong new leaves, branches, and flowers.
  • Trees planted in spring must establish their roots while also dealing with rising temperatures and summer heat.

Plant this fall, and your trees can spend the cooler months getting settled instead of waiting until spring to get started!

Planting your Sarah Bernhardt Peony

Planting Instructions for Sarah Bernhardt Peony

  1. Choosing the Right Location: Plant Sarah Bernhardt Peony in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for the most flowers. It tolerates light shade, but heavy shade reduces blooming. Choose a permanent spot with good air circulation, since peonies dislike being moved and can thrive for 50 years or more.
  2. Soil Preparation: Prepare rich, well-drained soil by working plenty of compost into an area about 18 inches wide and deep. Avoid low spots where water collects, because waterlogged soil can rot the roots. Good drainage and air flow keep the foliage and crown healthy.
  3. Planting: Early fall is the ideal time to plant, though potted plants can go in during spring. Set the growth buds, or eyes, no more than about 2 inches below the soil surface; planting too deep is the most common reason peonies fail to bloom. For a potted plant, keep it at the same level it grew in the container. Space plants about 3 feet apart to suit their 2 to 3 foot width.
  4. Mulching and First Watering: Water deeply after planting to settle the soil around the roots. Apply a light layer of mulch around the plant, but do not pile it over the crown, which would effectively bury the eyes too deep. Keep the soil evenly moist during the first season.

Care Instructions

  1. Watering: Water deeply during dry spells, especially in the first year, but avoid waterlogged soil. Established peonies are fairly self-sufficient and need extra water mainly during drought. Water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to keep the foliage dry.
  2. Fertilizing: Peonies need little feeding. A light application of balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer, or a top-dressing of compost, in early spring as shoots emerge is plenty. Too much nitrogen produces lush leaves but fewer blooms.
  3. Pest and Disease Monitoring: Ants on the buds are normal and harmless; they are drawn to the sweet nectar and do not damage the flowers. Watch instead for gray mold (botrytis) on buds and stems in wet springs and powdery mildew in late summer. Good air circulation and removing affected parts keep problems in check.

Maintenance and Long-Term Care

  1. Staking: The enormous, fully double flowers, up to 8 inches wide, can be heavy, especially after rain. Place a peony ring or stakes around the clump in early spring while the shoots are still short, so the foliage grows up through the support.
  2. Pruning and Deadheading: Remove spent flowers after blooming to keep the plant tidy, but leave the foliage in place through summer to feed the roots. Cut the stems back in fall and clear away the debris to reduce disease the following spring.
  3. Winter Care: Sarah Bernhardt grows in USDA zones 4 to 8 and actually needs a winter chill to bloom well. After cutting back in fall, add a layer of mulch in colder regions for extra protection over winter, then pull it back in early spring.

Additional Tips for Growing Sarah Bernhardt Peony

  1. Be Patient With New Plants: A newly planted Sarah Bernhardt Peony may take one to three years to bloom fully while it settles in and builds its root system. Avoid moving it, since peonies dislike being disturbed, and it will reward you with more flowers each year.
  2. Cut Flowers: The rose-pink, fragrant blooms appear in late spring to early summer and make stunning arrangements. Cut stems when buds are showing color and feel soft, then rinse or gently shake them to remove ants before bringing them indoors.
  3. Deer and Pet Safety: Deer and rabbits tend to avoid peony foliage. Peonies are mildly toxic to dogs and cats if eaten and can cause stomach upset, so discourage pets from chewing on the plant.
What Customers say about the Sarah Bernhardt Peony:

The Sarah Bernhardt Peony thrives in Zones 4-8

Growing Zones for the Sarah Bernhardt Peony

If you live in the green area above, we recommend the Sarah Bernhardt Peony.

Your Growing Zone
Recommended Zones 4-8
Mature Height 2-3 ft.
Mature Width 2-3 ft.
Cannot Ship To AZ, OR
Sunlight Full Sun
Botanical Name Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt'

Plants that Make a Difference

For 20+ years, our team has shipped healthy, established plants to gardeners like you- all across the country. Every plant is selected and cared for by our plant experts before it ships to your door.

  • 20+ Years Experience

  • Superior Quality

  • Free Shipping on All Orders

  • Guaranteed to Grow

Close-up of Sarah Bernhardt peonies showcasing delicate pink petals and rich green leaves.

Beware- not all Sarah Bernhardt Peonies are the same.

Be sure to get superior perennials, grown by experts.

Better Roots Make Stronger Plants: Some nurseries send you "bare root" perennials to save on shipping. Even worse, others have started digging them right out of the ground before shipping. This causes major transplant shock and long-term damage. We send you Sarah Bernhardt Peonies in soil-filled containers- ensuring a well-developed root system that will explode with growth and blooms!

Healthy Plants: We've seen other nurseries grow tall perennials in tiny pots to save on shipping. This leads to a "root bound" plant, where the roots have outgrown their pot- they cannot absorb water and nutrients. They quickly dry out during shipment, leading to an unhealthy plant.

Sarah Bernhardt peonies with soft pink blooms in a garden with purple and pink flowers.

Sarah Bernhardt is the classic heirloom peony- huge, fragrant rose-pink blooms that have been a garden favorite for over a century.

  • Enormous double pink flowers up to 8 inches wide in late spring to early summer
  • Soft, sweet fragrance that draws butterflies and bees
  • Long-lived: can thrive for 50 years or more with proper care
  • Cold hardy in zones 4-8 and generally deer resistant

Not all plants are created equal

The Difference Is in the Roots

Every plant we ship has grown in a nursery container with its roots protected, so it arrives healthy, established and ready to thrive in your yard.

A full, branched Nationwide Plants tree in a nursery pot next to a thin bare-root tree with exposed roots Ours: container grown Theirs: bare root
Nationwide Plants Other Nurseries
How it's grown Grown in a nursery container, roots protected the whole time Pulled or dug from the field, tearing fragile roots
How it arrives Arrives in its pot with soil intact Arrives bare root, exposed and drying out
Before shipping Growing naturally until it ships Held dormant in a cooler, then shocked by a hot shipping box
Root health Strong, well-developed roots with room to grow Crammed into a small pot until it's root bound
Height Measured from the top of the soil Often includes the pot and roots
After planting Settles in quickly with less transplant shock Arrives stressed and can take years to recover, if it does

The height you see is the height you plant.

We measure every plant from the top of the soil, not the bottom of the pot. Many nurseries include the pot and roots, so a "5–6 ft." tree from them might stand only 4 ft. tall once it's planted.

Comparisons reflect common practices across the online plant industry, not any single company.

Close-up of Sarah Bernhardt peonies, some just budding and others in full bloom showcasing delicate pink petals and rich green leaves.

Honest Measurements: Some nurseries measure plants including the pot and roots, so the plant you receive is much smaller than you expected. We measure all of our plants from the soil line, so the height you see is what you can expect after planting.

From our nursery to your door

How We Ship Your Plants

Every order is hand-selected, watered and carefully packed so it arrives healthy and ready to plant. Here's what happens after you place your order.

  1. Hand-Picked for You

    Our team selects the best plant available for your order. For privacy trees, that's the tallest and fullest. For fruit trees, it's the best branched.

    Why it matters: Many online nurseries ship whatever is next in the row.

  2. A Deep Drink Before the Trip

    Every plant gets a thorough watering right before it's packed, so it starts the journey fully hydrated.

  3. Roots Sealed In

    We wrap the pot and roots in plastic to lock in moisture, so your plant has water to drink all the way to your door.

    Why it matters: Bare-root plants are often shipped with their roots exposed and drying out.

  4. Braced for the Ride

    Cardboard inserts are secured inside every box to hold your plant in place, so it won't slide, tip or get damaged in transit.

  5. Shipped Only by FedEx

    We ship your trees exclusively with FedEx. We've found they deliver the fastest and handle live plants the most gently.

And if anything goes wrong, every plant is backed by our 1 Year Warranty.

Healthy Roots Make a Huge Difference

  • Never buy bare-root plants. These trees are starved of nutrients, and have a low survival rate.
  • Beware of nurseries cut corners by growing in small pots. These "rootbound" plants are weak, struggle to absorb nutrients, and die quickly after planting.
  • Some nurseries try to sell oversized plants, but chop off vital roots so they can cram the rootball into a narrow box to save on shipping!
Close up of the Sarah Bernhardt peony flower bloom.

You Want Sarah Bernhardt Peonies Grown by Experts

Some nurseries ship small, weak peonies grown in tiny pots to save money. These "root bound" plants struggle after planting and take longer to bloom well.

Nationwide Plants only sends you strong Sarah Bernhardt Peonies, selected and cared for by our plant experts, with healthy, developed root systems. That means they settle in and build strong roots, the key to more flowers each year.

Read more about the Sarah Bernhardt Peony

Sarah Bernhardt Peony – The Queen of the Garden

Bring timeless elegance and breathtaking beauty to your landscape with the Sarah Bernhardt Peony, a beloved heirloom variety cherished for its sumptuous, rose-pink blooms and delightful fragrance. Known as the "Queen of the Garden,"this classic peony has been adored by gardeners for over a century, gracing yards with large, ruffled flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. With its lush, deep green foliage and exceptional cold hardiness, the Sarah Bernhardt Peony is an easy-care perennial that adds sophistication to any outdoor space.

Why You'll Love the Sarah Bernhardt Peony

  • Show-Stopping Blooms – Enormous, fully double pink flowers up to 8 inches wide steal the show in any garden.
  • Fragrant & Pollinator-Friendly – A soft, sweet scent attracts butterflies and bees, making it a pollinator favorite.
  • Low-Maintenance & Long-Lived – This perennial thrives for decades with minimal care.
  • Cold Hardy & Resilient – Withstands freezing temperatures (hardy in USDA zones 3-8) and returns stronger each year.
  • Perfect for Bouquets – Ideal for cutting, Sarah Bernhardt Peonies make stunning, long-lasting floral arrangements.

Ideal Placement & Landscaping Uses

The Sarah Bernhardt Peony is a versatile garden gem that fits beautifully into many landscaping designs:

  • Garden Borders & Flower Beds – A must-have for classic cottage gardens and perennial beds.
  • Foundation Planting – Adds charm and seasonal color near homes and walkways.
  • Cutting Gardens – Grow for an endless supply of gorgeous blooms for indoor arrangements.
  • Mixed Perennial Gardens – Pair with irises, roses, or daylilies for a stunning display.

Growing & Care Tips

Caring for a Sarah Bernhardt Peony is delightfully easy:

  • Sunlight: Prefers full sun to light shade (at least 6 hours of sunlight daily).
  • Soil: Grows best in well-drained, rich soil with good air circulation.
  • Watering: Water deeply during dry spells but avoid waterlogged soil.
  • Support: Large blooms may need staking to prevent drooping.
  • Winter Care: Cut back in fall, and mulch in colder regions for added protection.

With proper care, your Sarah Bernhardt Peony will thrive for 50+ years, becoming a cherished part of your garden for generations!

Order Your Sarah Bernhardt Peony Today!

Enhance your landscape with the grace and grandeur of the Sarah Bernhardt Peony. Whether you're looking to create romantic flower beds, elegant borders, or show-stopping floral arrangements, this timeless favorite is a must-have. Order now from Nationwide Plants for premium quality, expert care, and fast shipping—your dream garden awaits!

Frequently Asked Questions about the Sarah Bernhardt Peony

How big does a Sarah Bernhardt Peony get?

A Sarah Bernhardt Peony grows 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, forming a lush, bushy clump of deep green foliage. That size fits beautifully in borders, foundation plantings, and cutting gardens. Its large blooms can be heavy, so a peony ring or stakes help prevent drooping.

When does Sarah Bernhardt Peony bloom?

Sarah Bernhardt Peony blooms in late spring to early summer. It produces enormous, fully double, rose-pink flowers up to 8 inches wide with a soft, sweet fragrance. The blooms attract butterflies and bees and make an unforgettable show in the late spring garden.

How much sun does a Sarah Bernhardt Peony need?

A Sarah Bernhardt Peony needs full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, for the most flowers. It can tolerate light shade, but heavy shade reduces blooming. Good air circulation around the plant also helps keep the foliage healthy.

What zones does Sarah Bernhardt Peony grow in?

Sarah Bernhardt Peony grows in USDA zones 4 to 8. It is exceptionally cold hardy and actually needs a winter chill to bloom well. Cut it back in fall and add mulch in colder regions for extra protection over winter.

How deep should I plant a Sarah Bernhardt Peony?

Plant a Sarah Bernhardt Peony so the growth buds, or eyes, sit no more than about 2 inches below the soil surface. Planting too deep is the most common reason peonies fail to bloom. For a potted plant, set it at the same level it was growing in the container.

How long does it take a Sarah Bernhardt Peony to bloom?

A newly planted Sarah Bernhardt Peony may take one to three years to bloom fully while it settles in and builds its root system. Be patient and avoid moving it, since peonies dislike being disturbed. Once established, it rewards you with more flowers each year.

How long do Sarah Bernhardt Peonies live?

Sarah Bernhardt Peonies are very long-lived and can thrive for 50 years or more with proper care. This heirloom variety has been a garden favorite for over a century. Plant it in a permanent spot with rich, well-drained soil, and it can become a cherished part of your garden for generations.

How often should I water a Sarah Bernhardt Peony?

Water a Sarah Bernhardt Peony deeply during dry spells, especially in its first year, but avoid waterlogged soil. Established peonies are fairly self-sufficient and need extra water mainly during drought. Rich, well-drained soil keeps the roots healthy and prevents rot.

Why are there ants on my Sarah Bernhardt Peony buds?

Ants on Sarah Bernhardt Peony buds are normal and harmless. They are attracted to the sweet nectar on the buds and do not damage the plant or the flowers. Simply rinse or gently shake cut stems before bringing blooms indoors.

Is Sarah Bernhardt Peony deer resistant?

Yes, Sarah Bernhardt Peony is generally deer resistant, as deer and rabbits tend to avoid peony foliage. Keep in mind that peonies are mildly toxic to dogs and cats if eaten and can cause stomach upset, so discourage pets from chewing on the plant.
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