Amy Draiss
Quick Facts
Botanical name: Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sorbet’
Height: 2-3 ft, 60-90cm
Spread: 2-3 ft,60-90cm
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained
Hardiness zones: 4-8
When to plant: Fall, spring
Quite simply, the Sorbet peony is one of the most beautiful and unusual cultivars you can grow. Discovered in a Korean orchard in 1987 by Luc Klinkhamer, this stunner features fluffy layers of fragrant, blush hued and cream petals.
One of the most visually arresting types of peony available, peony Sorbet develops large, long-lasting blooms in mid-spring. It makes an excellent addition to a cutting garden or ornamental border. Here’s how to care for this gorgeously fluffy cultivar.
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What is a Sorbet Peony?
Paeonia ‘Sorbet’ peony (P. lactiflora) is a midseason bloomer, flowering in late spring or early summer, depending upon the climate and region. It can be grown in USDA zones 4-8 and is remarkably hardy. This herbaceous peony’s impressively ruffled soft pink and cream blooms develop in mid-spring to early fall. Sorbet peonies make for long-lasting cut flowers and can even be dried.
In the fall, the plant does double duty as it is adorned with fall foliage in hues of bronze tinged with purple. You can grow this pink peony type as a standalone specimen or alongside other flowering perennial bushes in a cottage garden setting.
Sorbet Peony Care
Clump-forming Sorbet peonies are long lasting perennials with stunning early season blooms. With proper peony care, these aromatic floral beauties can live for generations once established. To guarantee the softest textured petals and the healthiest foliage, just follow these cultivation essentials:
- Lighting: These peonies can thrive in full sun (at least six hours) as well as partial shade. If you live in an area with overly high summer temperatures, it’s best to situate your peony in partial shade.
- Temperature & Humidity: The Sorbet peony plant prefers moderate temperatures between 60-70°F (16-21°C) with a relative humidity of about 40-70%. Temperatures above 85°F (29°C) can damage peonies and affect bud formation and flowering. These plants need a period of cold below 40°F (4°C) to break dormancy and prompt flowering.
- Watering: Peonies like moist but well-draining soil. It’s best to keep the plant roots constantly damp. Determining exactly how much you water peonies will depend on weather conditions and region variations. However, on average, you should aim to give plants a couple of inches (5cm) of water per week.
- Fertilizing: These peonies prefer a low nitrogen, high phosphorus fertilizer that promotes healthy flowering without excessive foliage growth. Aim for an NPK of 5-10-5 or 10-10-10. Use an organic food like bone meal or compost or a dedicated flower fertilizer. Apply in the early spring, prior to blooming but just as peony growth is emerging. Sprinkle granular fertilizer around the base of the plant and water well.
- Soil & Compost: The Sorbet peony prefers well-drained, average soil with a pH somewhere between 6.5-7. Keep the earth around plants moist, but not waterlogged.
How to Plant Peony Sorbet
Plant Sorbet in spring as part of your peony’s spring care routine. Alternatively, plant in the fall, six weeks before the ground freezes. Place in full sun to partial shade in average soil that is well-draining yet moist. Plant bulbs a couple of inches (5cm) below the surface of the soil, spaced 18-24 inches (45-60cm) apart. Make sure that the crown of the plant is level with the soil’s surface. If planted in the best way and cared for correctly, you can expect your peony to last for decades.
Problems, Pests & Diseases
Sorbet peonies are remarkably resilient and are resistant to many peony diseases. Thanks to their phenol content, they are also unpalatable to rabbits, deer and most insects. They are drought and heat tolerant and exceptionally cold hardy.
That said, summer humidity can exacerbate fungal infections. Underwatering can lead to premature leaf drop, and crowded plants can foster fungal diseases. Overly hot dry temperatures can also lead to leaf scorch. Keep an eye on any sudden changes to foliage or structure, and keep multiple plants well spaced to promote good air circulation.
Sorbet Peony Propagation
These peonies can be propagated through crown division, layering or cuttings. The most common method is crown division, which involves cutting through the crown of the plant to divide it and create new plants. Wait until the peony is at least three years old before dividing the crown.
If you prefer to take cuttings, do so in late summer or early fall. You can plant peonies in individual containers. You can also propagate by seed. However, germination can take as long as 60 days. Also, bear in mind that young plants will not grow true to their parents.
Pruning Sorbet Peonies
Prune your peonies in late fall, removing any damaged or diseased limbs with clean, disinfected shears. If you need to retard or remove dead growth, cut the plant back with sanitized pruners in late fall after a hard frost, or in the spring before new growth emerges. Cut foliage back to three inches (8cm) from the ground. Leave the crown of the plant untouched.
Keep your peony plants well shaped and trimmed with these super-sharp Garden Guru Pruning Shears. Available to buy in the Gardening Know How Shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard are peonies to grow?
Peony blooms do need to be staked so they don’t flop over. Also, if the crown of the plant is not situated correctly, the peony won't bloom. It also won’t flower if the soil is poor or the plant hasn’t been fertilized adequately.
How many times will my peonies bloom?
Peonies bloom once in the spring to early summer and then not again until the next season. However, the blooms are so spectacular and great for cutting, that once-a-year display is well worth waiting for.
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