Paeonia 'Coral Sunset'

Paeonia 'Coral Sunset': Coral So Bright It Needs Sunglasses

'Coral Sunset' puts on a three-act colour show: deep coral, then peach, then ivory, like a sunset somebody keeps pressing rewind on. Yellow centres keep the bees glued. GOLDEN HOUR, ALL DAY LONG.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Paeonia hybrid
• Common Name: Hybrid Peony
• Height: 80–90 cm (31–35 in)
• Spread: 60 cm (2 ft)
• Flowers: Large semi-double to double blooms in deep coral, fading to peach and then ivory, with a yellow centre
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer (May to June)
• Foliage: Dark green, divided leaves on an upright clump
• Features: Long-lived

Where to Plant: Plant it where you'll see it every day in late May, by the front walk or at the front of a sunny border. It also earns a place in the cutting garden. Since it's long-lived, choose a spot you won't want to change.

Companion Plants: Phlomis tuberosa carries tiered lavender whorls at 90 to 150 cm from June to August, picking up after the coral peony. Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' adds fine foliage and yellow flowers at 30 to 46 cm over the same months. Sisyrinchium angustifolium edges the bed with violet flowers from May to July. All three like full sun or part sun.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun to part sun, in rich, well-drained soil. The eyes on the crown should sit no deeper than 5 cm (2 in) below the surface, or the plant may grow leaves and skip the flowers. Water through the first season. After that, a deep soak during a long dry spell is plenty. It may take a year or two to bloom well after planting. That's normal. Cut the stems to the ground in fall and clear away the old leaves. It rarely needs dividing and is best left alone.

History: 'Coral Sunset' is credited to Illinois breeder Samuel Wissing and is thought to be a sister seedling of 'Coral Charm', from the cross of 'Minnie Shaylor' and 'Otto Froebel'. The American Peony Society gave it a Gold Medal in 2003 and its Award of Landscape Merit in 2009.

Final Thoughts: Long-lived, deer resistant and tough through dry spells. Plant it facing west for the full effect. CUE THE ROMANTIC MUSIC.