Paeonia 'Pink Hawaiian Coral'

Paeonia 'Pink Hawaiian Coral': Coral and Apricot That Won't Sit Still

'Pink Hawaiian Coral' opens coral-pink with golden stamens, then fades to apricot and cream like a summer tan wearing off. Semi-double, cupped and fragrant. THE GLOW IS TEMPORARY. THE ENVY IS NOT.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Paeonia hybrid
• Common Name: Garden Peony
• Height: 90 cm (3 ft)
• Spread: 90 cm (3 ft)
• Flowers: Semi-double and cupped, coral-pink with golden stamens, fading to apricot and cream; fragrant
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer (May to June); early in the peony season
• Foliage: Glossy, mid to dark green
• Features: Strong stems, good cut flower

Where to Plant: Use it to bring warm colour to a sunny border, an island bed or a cutting garden. Pick stems at the soft-bud stage and watch the colour change in the vase. It opens early, so it helps stretch your peony season.

Companion Plants: Try Astrantia 'Star of Fire' beside this coral peony. Its burgundy flowers carry the warm tones into summer at about 60 cm. Stachys 'Hummelo' brings upright purple spikes from June to August, a cool contrast to the coral. Along the edge, Kalimeris 'Blue Star' covers itself in small blue flowers from June to September, and all three share the peony's love of sun to part sun.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in rich, well-drained soil. Keep the eyes no more than 5 cm (2 in) below the surface. Water through the first summer while the roots settle in. The stems are sturdy and usually hold up on their own. Deadhead spent flowers to keep the clump neat. Cut the foliage down after frost and remove it. Peonies are long-lived and resent being moved, so pick its spot with care. Divide only if necessary, in September.

History: 'Pink Hawaiian Coral' was bred by Roy G. Klehm of Illinois from a cross of 'Charlie's White' and 'Otto Froebel', and registered with the American Peony Society in 1981. It won the APS Gold Medal in 2000 and an Award of Landscape Merit in 2009.

Final Thoughts: Strong stems, early blooms and deer that keep away. Cut a few for the house. NO SUNSCREEN NEEDED.