Paeonia 'Paula Fay'

Paeonia 'Paula Fay': Electric Pink with Early Season Spark

Bright and energetic, Paeonia 'Paula Fay' is among the first peonies to bloom, delivering vivid, semi-double flowers in a glowing shade of hot pink. Each bloom features a bold yellow centre and slightly cupped petals, creating a cheerful, open form that’s both pollinator-friendly and striking in design. Its upright stems and vigorous growth make it a standout for gardeners seeking early-season impact.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 80–90 cm
• Spread: 80–90 cm
• Flower Colour: Bright fuchsia-pink with a golden-yellow centre; semi-double
• Flowering Period: Late spring
• Foliage: Glossy, mid-green, upright and full
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, fertile soil; thrives in loam or amended clay

Uses and Benefits: Paeonia 'Paula Fay' is ideal for energizing perennial borders, sunny foundation plantings, and early pollinator beds. Its vivid colour and open bloom structure add contrast to pastel plantings and complement deeper jewel tones. As an early bloomer, it’s perfect for extending the peony season, and its strong stems and vibrant petals make it a favourite in fresh-cut arrangements. Reliable, low maintenance, and long-lived, it’s a lively spark in spring designs.

Companion Plants: Pair Paeonia 'Paula Fay' with Veronica 'Pink Potion', whose airy spikes mirror the peony’s hue while extending bloom into summer. Add Geranium 'Ballerina' for its light pink, purple-veined blooms that create movement and fill space at the base. Complete the scene with Panicum 'Shenandoah', an upright switchgrass with red-tinged foliage that echoes the warmth of the peony and provides height and late-season interest.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun or light shade in rich, well-draining soil. Position the crown so buds rest just below the soil surface. Water deeply during dry spells and mulch in early spring. Deadhead blooms for a tidy appearance and cut stems to the ground in autumn. Peonies thrive when left undisturbed but can be divided in fall if necessary to rejuvenate growth.

History: Paeonia 'Paula Fay' is an American hybrid introduced by Farrow in the 1960s. Its vivid colour and early flowering habit quickly made it a garden and show bench favourite, earning the American Peony Society Award of Landscape Merit for its outstanding garden performance.

Final Thoughts: Vibrant and reliable, Paeonia 'Paula Fay' bursts into bloom just as the season begins—bringing brightness, joy, and a touch of boldness to the spring garden.