Paeonia 'Bartzella'

Paeonia 'Bartzella': Sunshine in Full Bloom

Vivid and luminous, Paeonia 'Bartzella' is a standout Itoh peony that bursts into bloom with enormous, semi-double to double flowers in cheerful lemon-yellow, each centred with golden stamens and often lightly flushed with soft red at the base of the petals. Held on sturdy stems above lush, deeply cut foliage, this long-blooming perennial brings warmth, elegance, and exceptional structure to the garden.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 75–90 cm
• Spread: 90–100 cm
• Flower Colour: Bright yellow with occasional red flares; semi-double to double form
• Flowering Period: Late spring to early summer
• Foliage: Rich green, finely divided, and exceptionally clean through the season
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Fertile, well-drained soil; consistent moisture preferred, especially in early growth

Uses and Benefits: Paeonia 'Bartzella' is ideal as a bold focal point in mixed borders, foundation plantings, or formal gardens. Its enormous blooms are fragrant and long-lasting, with strong stems that resist flopping—even in rain. As an Itoh hybrid, it offers excellent disease resistance, a compact, mounded habit, and a reliable return year after year. Its bright colouring also makes it a showstopper in cut flower arrangements, adding a splash of sunshine indoors and out.

Companion Plants: Pair Paeonia 'Bartzella' with Salvia 'Snowhill', whose crisp white spikes offer a cooling contrast to the peony’s warm yellow tones and bloom in unison. Add Nepeta 'Kitten Around' for its compact form and soft blue flowers that draw pollinators and complement the peony’s texture. Anchor the composition with Panicum 'Prairie Fire', an upright switchgrass whose red-tinted blades bring vertical interest and echo the subtle basal flares found in some 'Bartzella' blooms.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun or light shade in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Avoid planting the crown too deeply; buds should be just below the soil surface. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, and mulch to retain moisture. Remove spent blooms to maintain vigour. In autumn, cut stems to the ground. Itoh peonies do not require frequent division and will thrive for many years undisturbed.

History: Paeonia 'Bartzella' is one of the most celebrated Itoh peonies, bred by Roger Anderson in Wisconsin and introduced in the late 20th century. It quickly gained recognition for its vibrant yellow blooms, strong stems, and exceptional garden performance—earning the American Peony Society Gold Medal and worldwide admiration.

Final Thoughts: Radiant and resilient, Paeonia 'Bartzella' shines like a beacon of early summer—bringing structure, fragrance, and joyful colour to every garden it graces.