Paeonia 'Honey Gold'

Paeonia 'Honey Gold': A Crown of Sunlight and Cream

Refined and radiant, Paeonia 'Honey Gold' is a Japanese-style peony that opens with pristine white outer petals, perfectly arranged around a glowing, golden-yellow centre of petaloid staminodes. The contrast is crisp and elegant, like sunlight framed in lace. Blooming in early summer, it combines sophistication with pollinator-friendly form, offering beauty with purpose.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 85–95 cm
• Spread: 80–90 cm
• Flower Colour: White guard petals with a bright golden-yellow centre; Japanese form
• Flowering Period: Early to mid-summer
• Foliage: Deep green, upright and finely divided
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost or organic matter

Uses and Benefits: Paeonia 'Honey Gold' is ideal for brightening traditional borders, foundation plantings, and cutting gardens with its fresh palette and crisp form. Its Japanese-style blooms provide both textural and pollinator interest, while strong stems hold up well without staking. In mixed perennial beds, it brings contrast and lightness, pairing effortlessly with both bold and pastel companions. Its long vase life makes it a favourite among floral designers.

Companion Plants: Surround Paeonia 'Honey Gold' with Digitalis 'Dalmatian White', whose creamy bell-shaped blooms and upright structure echo the peony’s refined aesthetic. Add Geranium 'Spessart' for its soft white blooms and lacy foliage that weave gently at the base. Anchor the composition with Deschampsia 'Goldschleier', a graceful ornamental grass with airy golden plumes that mirror the inner glow of the peony while adding motion and texture.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun or part shade in rich, well-drained soil. Position the crown just below the surface to promote healthy flowering. Water deeply during dry periods and mulch annually to retain moisture. Remove faded blooms to extend the garden’s neatness, and cut back stems in fall. Peonies are long-lived and low maintenance once established, thriving for decades without division.

History: Paeonia 'Honey Gold' is a treasured American introduction from the mid-20th century, bred by the famed Klehm family. Its distinctive two-tone bloom and Japanese flower form have made it a collector’s favourite and a standout in classic peony displays.

Final Thoughts: Luminous and poised, Paeonia 'Honey Gold' captures the quiet radiance of early summer—offering balance, beauty, and a golden-hearted glow that lingers long after the blooms have passed.