Sarah Bernhardt Peony (Paeonia 'Sarah Bernhardt')
pay-OH-nee-ah 'Sarah Bernhardt'

Deciduous Perennial Upright, rounded
The most widely planted peony in the world: a fragrant, fully double rose-pink heirloom bred in France in 1906.

'Sarah Bernhardt' is one of the most popular peonies ever introduced, bred by Lemoine in France in 1906 and named for the celebrated actress. Its large, fully double, rose-pink blooms carry a soft silvery overlay and a sweet fragrance, opening on strong stems above a clump of glossy dark-green foliage in late spring.

Pros

  • Fragrant, classic rose-pink double blooms
  • One of the best-known and most dependable garden peonies
  • Long-lived heirloom with over a century of garden performance
  • Excellent cut flower

Cons

  • Mildly toxic to pets if ingested
  • Large double blooms may need staking after rain
  • Slow to reach full size after planting
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 24 - 36 inches tall. 24 - 36 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 3a - 8b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Bees, Attracts Beneficial Insects, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Edging, Formal Garden, Foundation, Fragrant, Fragrant Flowers, Full Sun, Good for Accents, Good for Beginners, Good for Borders, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Dried Flowers, Good for Hedges, Good for Mass Planting, Good for Rock Garden, Low Maintenance, Medium, Most Popular, Native to Asia, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Prairie Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Specimen, Thrillers, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Well-Drained Soil
Bloom Period May
Flower Color Rose-Pink, Fully Double, with a Silvery Overlay
Foliage Color
 

Most Popular Plants

 

In The News

 

More Info from Experts

Commonly Planted with...

Pairs well with Siberian Iris, Catmint (Nepeta), and Baptisia, which fill in as the peony's own spring growth matures.
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

Click a label to toggle visibility for that size

Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 09/20
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 05/04 - 09/30

© North Shore Plant Club 2026. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?
Login
No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!