Sarah Bernhardt Peony

‘Sarah Bernhardt’ is a fragrant herbaceous peony with large, ruffled, rose-pink double flowers. The RHS profile identifies the cultivar as Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ and describes a mature plant about 0.5–1 m tall and wide ([RHS plant profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/91077/paeonia-lactiflora-sarah-bernhardt/details)). ## Flowers and placement The [Peony Society registry](https://www.peonysociety.org/registered_peonies/sarah-bernhardt/) records Victor Lemoine’s 1906 introduction and describes pink flowers with pale, silvery edges. Use it in a sunny or lightly shaded border, or cut a few blooms while leaving enough foliage to feed the plant. Full sun to partial shade suits peonies; choose fertile, moisture-retentive but freely draining soil. ## Seasonal care This is a long-lived herbaceous perennial, so give it room and avoid repeated moving. The [RHS peony growing guide](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/peony/herbaceous/growing-guide) provides general planting and care advice. Flowering and plant size vary with climate, soil and age. ## Maintenance Keep soil evenly moist during establishment and dry spells, without leaving roots in standing water. Support may help heavy blooms in exposed sites. Remove spent flower heads if seed is not wanted, then cut back the foliage after it yellows and dies down in autumn.