Pink Peonies: Best Varieties, Care Guide & Bouquet Tips

There is perhaps no flower more romantic, lush, and universally beloved than the pink peony. With their massive, ruffled blooms and intoxicating fragrance, they are the absolute stars of the late spring and early summer garden.

While some botanical databases list over 40 different pink varieties, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. You don’t need a list of dozens of obscure cultivars; you need the absolute best, most reliable, and most breathtaking performers.

Whether you are looking to plant a stunning perennial border, searching for the famous color-changing ‘Pink Hawaiian Coral’, or planning the perfect pink peony bouquet, this complete guide covers the top 11 pink peonies and everything you need to know to grow them perfectly.

Pink Peony: Quick Care Guide

The 11 Best Pink Peony Varieties by Blooming Season

Peonies typically bloom for a short period—usually 7 to 10 days per plant. However, by planting a strategic mix of early, midseason, and late-blooming varieties, you can extend your garden’s pink peony show for up to six weeks!

Early Season Pink Peonies

• 1. Pink Hawaiian Coral: One of the most sought-after peonies in the world (and an American Peony Society Gold Medal winner). This stunning semi-double flower opens as a vibrant coral-pink and gracefully fades to a soft apricot-pink as it matures. It has a lovely fragrance and strong stems.
• 2. Coral Charm: Similar to its Hawaiian cousin, this early bloomer puts on a magical color-changing show, shifting from deep coral pink to peach, and finally to a soft ivory.
• 3. Paula Fay: A radiant, bright, and cheerful hot-pink peony with a center of golden-yellow stamens. Its remarkably strong stems mean it rarely requires staking.
• 4. Abalone Pearl: A very early bloomer featuring delicate, cupped coral-pink petals that surround a sunny golden center. Perfect for those who prefer a more subtle, single-form blossom.

Midseason Pink Peonies

• 5. Bowl of Beauty: A spectacular Japanese-form (anemone) peony. It features large, rich fuchsia-pink outer petals (guard petals) densely packed with a frilly, creamy-yellow center.
• 6. Monsieur Jules Elie: Introduced in 1888, this heirloom variety produces massive, light rose-pink double blossoms with a silvery sheen. It is highly fragrant, heat-tolerant, and incredibly reliable.
• 7. Do Tell: Another Japanese-form masterpiece. It boasts pale, orchid-pink outer petals that perfectly frame a fluffy center of dark fuchsia and yellow staminodes.
• 8. Shirley Temple: While often categorized as a white peony, Shirley Temple actually opens as a beautiful, soft blush pink before slowly fading to pure ivory white. It is highly resistant to “balling” in wet spring weather.

Late Season Pink Peonies

• 9. Sarah Bernhardt: The undisputed queen of pink peonies! This is the classic, enormous, soft pastel-pink double peony you see in every wedding magazine. It is highly fragrant and the ultimate cut flower.
• 10. Dr. Alexander Fleming: If you love Sarah Bernhardt but want a slightly deeper, more vibrant rose-pink hue, this is your plant. It produces an abundance of side buds, extending its bloom time significantly.
• 11. Dinner Plate: Living up to its name, this late-season variety produces massive, perfectly formed shell-pink blossoms that can reach a staggering 7 inches across.

Planting and Caring for Pink Peonies

Peonies are incredibly long-lived perennials. If planted correctly, a single bush can thrive and bloom for over 50 years with very little maintenance!

• The Planting Secret: The number one reason peonies fail to bloom is being planted too deep. When planting bare-root peonies, ensure the “eyes” (the little red buds on the root) are no more than 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface.
• Support the Blooms: Because double pink peonies (like Sarah Bernhardt and Dinner Plate) produce such massive, heavy flowers, they often flop over when it rains. Place a peony ring or stakes around the plant in early spring before it gets too tall.
• Leave the Ants Alone: You will often see ants crawling all over your tight peony buds. Do not spray them! The ants are simply eating the sweet nectar on the outside of the bud, and their movement actually helps the heavy flower petals open.

Creating the Perfect Pink Peony Bouquet

Pink peonies are highly prized as cut flowers. To ensure your bouquet lasts as long as possible indoors, follow these florist secrets:

Harvest at the “Marshmallow Stage”: Do not cut a peony when it is fully open, as it will drop its petals quickly indoors. Instead, gently squeeze the bud. If it feels soft and squishy—like a marshmallow—it is ready to cut. It will open beautifully in a vase within a day or two and last for over a week. If you cut it when it is hard like a marble, it will never open.

Common Questions About Pink Peonies

What does a pink peony smell like?

The scent of a pink peony heavily depends on the variety. Classic double pinks like ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ have a sweet, clean, traditional rose-like fragrance. Some lighter pinks have a fresh, citrusy scent, while coral-pinks (like Pink Hawaiian Coral) can have a slightly spicy, earthy undertone.

What color is “peony pink”?

In the design and fashion world, “peony pink” is widely recognized as a soft, warm, pastel pink with subtle peach or creamy undertones, mimicking the delicate shades of a fully opened Sarah Bernhardt or Shirley Temple peony blossom.

Conclusion

Whether you opt for the vibrant allure of the Pink Hawaiian Coral, the dramatic flair of the Bowl of Beauty, or the timeless romance of the Sarah Bernhardt, adding pink peonies to your garden is an investment that will reward you for decades. By choosing varieties with different bloom times and planting them at the correct depth, your late spring garden will be an absolute showstopper.