3 Cotton Candy Mix Peony Bare Root Plants – Karl Rosenfield, Sarah Bernhardt, Shirley Temple

Overview

Transform your garden into a vibrant spectacle with our exquisite cotton candy peony mix. This special collection features three beloved peony varieties: the deep red ‘Karl Rosenfield’, the classic pink ‘Sarah Bernhardt’, and the delicate white ‘Shirley Temple’. Each order includes three robust 2-3 eye bare root peony plants, ready for fall planting to establish strong root systems. These magnificent herbaceous perennials are renowned for their large, fragrant, double blooms, which can reach an impressive 8+ inches across. Peonies are long-lived plants, often thriving for decades in the right conditions, making this collection a truly enduring investment for your landscape. Prepare for a dramatic show of color and elegance every late spring, as these timeless flowers unfurl their spectacular petals.

Peonies are a quintessential garden favorite, celebrated for their opulent beauty and intoxicating fragrance. This particular cotton candy peony mix offers a delightful blend of colors, ensuring a dynamic and eye-catching arrangement. Planting these bare roots in the fall allows them to settle in and develop robust roots before the winter chill, preparing them for a spectacular bloom cycle in the following spring. With proper care, these peonies will return year after year, offering an unparalleled display of horticultural artistry.

Key Benefits

Our cotton candy peony mix offers a myriad of benefits for any gardener looking to add enduring beauty and charm to their outdoor space:

• Stunning Visual Appeal: Each variety in this mix boasts large, double blooms, providing an explosion of white, red, and pink that creates a ‘cotton candy’ effect. The vibrant colors and impressive size make them a focal point in any garden setting. These bare root peony plants deliver a spectacular visual impact.
• Fragrant Blooms: Enjoy the delightful, classic peony fragrance that fills the air during late spring. These aromatic blossoms are perfect for cutting and bringing indoors to enjoy their sweet scent.
• Long-Lived Perennials: Peonies are incredibly long-lived plants, often outliving the gardener who planted them. With minimal care, this cotton candy peony mix will provide beauty for generations.
• Excellent Cut Flowers: The strong stems and large, resilient blooms make these peonies ideal for fresh floral arrangements. Create stunning bouquets for your home or as gifts.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, peonies are remarkably low-maintenance. They are drought-tolerant and generally resistant to pests and diseases, requiring little ongoing effort.
• Cold Hardy: These peonies are robust and cold-hardy, thriving in USDA Zones 3-7. They are well-suited for a wide range of climates and can withstand harsh winter conditions.
• Deer Resistant: Peonies are generally not favored by deer, making them a great choice for gardens in areas where deer browse is a concern. Enjoy your beautiful blooms without worry.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

To ensure your cotton candy peony mix thrives and produces abundant blooms, proper planting and care are essential. Peonies prefer a site with full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. In hotter Southern states, a location that receives full sun in the morning and light afternoon shade can be beneficial to protect the blooms from scorching. The soil should be well-draining, rich in organic matter, and have a neutral to slightly acidic pH (6.5-7.0). Poor drainage can lead to root rot, so amending heavy clay soils with compost or grit is recommended.

When planting your bare root peony plants, it is crucial not to plant them too deeply. The ‘eyes’ (pinkish-red buds) on the bare root should be no more than 1-2 inches below the soil surface. Planting deeper is the most common reason peonies fail to bloom. Dig a hole wide enough to accommodate the roots without bending them, and create a small mound in the center. Spread the roots over the mound and backfill with soil, ensuring the eyes are at the correct depth. Water thoroughly after planting. Peonies need consistent moisture during their first year to establish, but once mature, they are quite drought-tolerant. Water deeply during dry spells, especially from spring through bloom time. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases.

Fertilize sparingly; too much nitrogen can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers. A balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer can be applied in early spring as new growth emerges. Deadhead spent flowers to maintain a tidy appearance, but leave the foliage until it dies back naturally in the fall. This allows the plant to store energy for the following year’s blooms. Protecting the plants with a layer of mulch in colder zones can help insulate the roots during winter. Watch for common issues like powdery mildew (ensure good air circulation) or botrytis blight (remove affected parts). With these tips, your Karl Rosenfield peony, Sarah Bernhardt peony, and Shirley Temple peony will flourish.

Size & Details

This cotton candy peony mix includes three individual bare root plants, each with 2-3 ‘eyes’ or growth buds, indicating a healthy, mature root division ready for planting. These bare roots are optimized for fall planting, allowing them to establish a robust root system before the spring growing season. Once mature, these herbaceous peonies typically reach a height of 2-3 feet and spread about 2-3 feet wide, forming substantial, bushy plants. The large, double blooms can measure 8 inches or more in diameter, creating a truly spectacular display.

Peonies are known for their moderate growth rate, typically taking 2-3 years to become fully established and produce their most abundant blooms. They are hardy in USDA Zones 3-7, making them suitable for a wide range of climates across the United States. The mix features the distinct colors of ‘Karl Rosenfield’ (red), ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ (pink), and ‘Shirley Temple’ (white), providing a harmonious blend of hues for a captivating garden feature. Expect these stunning flowers to begin blooming in late spring, continuing their dramatic show for several weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these peony plants get? A: Once established, the peonies in this cotton candy peony mix typically grow to be about 2-3 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide, forming a substantial and attractive bush. Their large blooms can add significant visual impact.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: These are outdoor perennial plants. Peonies require a period of cold dormancy to set their flower buds, making them unsuitable for continuous indoor growing. They thrive in garden beds and can make excellent border plants.
• Q: How much sunlight does this peony mix need? A: Peonies prefer full sun, meaning they should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. In regions with very hot summers, a location with morning sun and some afternoon shade can be beneficial for protecting the blooms.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, once established, peonies are considered very easy to care for. They are long-lived, drought-tolerant, and generally pest-resistant, making them a great choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
• Q: What condition will the bare root peony plants arrive in? A: Your bare root peony plants will arrive dormant, which is normal and healthy for fall planting. They will be carefully packaged to ensure they are ready for planting upon arrival, typically with 2-3 ‘eyes’ per root.
• Q: When is the best time to plant this cotton candy peony mix? A: The optimal time for planting bare root peonies is in the fall, typically from September to late October. This allows the roots to establish before winter and prepares them for robust growth and blooming in the following spring.
• Q: Will these peonies survive winter in my zone? A: These peonies are hardy in USDA Zones 3-7, meaning they are well-equipped to withstand cold winter temperatures in these regions. They require a cold winter dormancy for proper flowering.
• Q: What is the ideal soil type for these peonies? A: Peonies thrive in rich, well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot, so amending heavy clay soils with organic matter is recommended.
• Q: How deep should I plant the bare roots? A: It is very important not to plant the bare roots too deeply. The ‘eyes’ or growth buds should be no more than 1-2 inches below the soil surface. Planting deeper can inhibit flowering.
• Q: Can I use the flowers from the Karl Rosenfield peony for cutting? A: Absolutely! The Karl Rosenfield peony, Sarah Bernhardt peony, and Shirley Temple peony varieties all produce large, long-lasting double blooms on strong stems, making them excellent choices for fresh cut flower arrangements.