Paeonia 'Shirley Temple'

Paeonia 'Shirley Temple': Blushing Elegance in Full Bloom

Soft and luminous, Paeonia 'Shirley Temple' opens with blush-pink petals that gradually fade to creamy white, offering a gentle transformation with every passing day. Its large, fully double flowers are rich with texture and lightly scented, resting on sturdy stems above bushy green foliage. This early summer classic brings grace and innocence to the garden with every bloom.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 80–90 cm
• Spread: 75–85 cm
• Flower Colour: Blush pink fading to ivory; fully double
• Flowering Period: Early to mid-summer
• Foliage: Deep green, finely divided, and bushy
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Rich, well-drained, loamy soil with consistent moisture

Uses and Benefits: Paeonia 'Shirley Temple' is ideal for softening perennial borders, enriching cottage gardens, or anchoring romantic planting schemes. Its long-lasting blooms and subtle colour shift add dynamic beauty to early summer beds, while the strong stems and full flower heads make it a beloved cut flower. The gentle scent and classic form give this cultivar timeless appeal, whether planted in groups or standing alone as a specimen.

Companion Plants: Combine Paeonia 'Shirley Temple' with Salvia 'Bumblesky', whose soft periwinkle spires offer a cooling contrast to the peony’s warm blush. Add Geranium 'Brookside' to weave among the base with airy blue flowers and mounding foliage. Complete the design with Hakonechloa macra, a cascading ornamental grass that adds movement, texture, and a fresh green foil to the peony’s blooms.

Care Instructions: Plant in a sunny to lightly shaded spot with fertile, well-drained soil. Avoid planting the crown too deep—buds should be just beneath the surface. Water regularly in dry periods and mulch in spring to retain soil moisture. Deadhead after flowering and cut stems to the ground in fall. Peonies are long-lived and require little maintenance once established.

History: Paeonia 'Shirley Temple' was introduced in the mid-20th century and named after the beloved child actress. Its softly tinted blooms and refined habit have kept it a favourite for generations of gardeners, admired for its delicate charm and dependable performance.

Final Thoughts: Gentle, romantic, and quietly show-stopping, Paeonia 'Shirley Temple' brings a soft glow to the garden—a graceful bloom that captures the essence of early summer sweetness.