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Paeonia 'Coral Sunset'
Coral Sunset Peony
Garden peonies derive principally from Paeonia lactiflora native to China, Mongolia, and Siberia in moist grasslands and forest margins; 'Coral Sunset' is an interspecific hybrid bred by Samuel Wissing in 1965 with P. lactiflora and P. peregrina parentage; American Peony Society Gold Medal recipient; commercially grown across temperate North America, Europe, and East Asia
Overview
Paeonia 'Coral Sunset' is an interspecific hybrid peony in the Paeoniaceae family and a sibling cultivar to Paeonia 'Coral Charm', reaching 30–36 inches (75–90 cm) tall and wide at maturity. Semi-double to double flowers 5–7 inches (13–18 cm) across open deep coral-salmon — slightly warmer and more salmon-toned than the coral of 'Coral Charm' — and age through peach to soft yellow over 5–7 days per individual bloom. The color transformation progresses through warm sunset tones, giving the cultivar its name. Where 'Coral Charm' leans toward coral-pink, 'Coral Sunset' leans toward coral-salmon — a warmer more orange-influenced undertone in the same genetic line. The fuller flower form (more petals than the semi-double 'Coral Charm') creates a rounder more substantial bloom shape. The cultivar was bred by Samuel Wissing in 1965, one year after 'Coral Charm', and received the American Peony Society Gold Medal in recognition of garden performance and color. Early-blooming like 'Coral Charm' — flowers open 1–2 weeks before the standard P. lactiflora cultivars in the same garden, extending the peony season into late May. Sturdy dark stems support the heavy semi-double flower heads more reliably than many coral peonies, reducing the need for staking. A light sweet fragrance is present in evening air. Dark green glossy compound foliage forms a substantial mound through summer. Same care requirements as all herbaceous peonies: eyes no more than 2 inches (5 cm) deep, well-drained soil, full sun. Peonies can live 50+ years in a stable garden position. Mildly toxic to pets and humans if ingested. Deer avoid the foliage.
Native Range
Garden peonies derive principally from Paeonia lactiflora, native to China, Mongolia, and Siberia where wild populations occur in moist grasslands and forest margins. The 'Coral Sunset' cultivar is an interspecific garden hybrid bred by Samuel Wissing in 1965 with parentage including P. lactiflora crossed with P. peregrina — the P. peregrina parent contributes the coral-salmon color range that does not occur in pure P. lactiflora cultivars. The cultivar is grown commercially across temperate North America, Europe, and East Asia.Suggested Uses
Used in perennial borders, cutting gardens, and as a specimen peony. The warm coral-salmon undertone creates a different mood than 'Coral Charm' — both coral siblings can be planted together for a coral color range display where one cultivar leans pink and the other leans salmon-orange. The cut-flower trade values the cultivar for the warm sunset color progression that gives a single stem visual interest across multiple days in an arrangement. The American Peony Society Gold Medal designation reflects the cultivar's garden performance and broad popularity. Pairs with white-flowered peonies (Paeonia 'Krinkled White', 'Bowl of Cream') and dark red peonies (Paeonia 'Big Ben') for a tonal-contrast peony composition spanning the warm color range from cream to salmon to dark red.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2'6" - 3'
Width/Spread2'6" - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Flowering in May to early June across approximately 2 weeks per established clump. Early bloom — the cultivar opens 1–2 weeks before the standard P. lactiflora cultivars in the same garden. The coral-salmon-to-peach-to-yellow transformation progresses over 5–7 days per individual bloom, giving the cultivar a continuously shifting display across the brief bloom window rather than a single static color. Plants attract bumblebees and other large native bees during the bloom window.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Deep coral-salmon opening, aging through peach to soft yellow over 5-7 days per bloom; semi-double to double 5-7 inches acrossFoliage Description
Dark green; deeply divided pinnately compound; glossyGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in full sun to partial shade with 5–10 hours of direct light. Well-drained humus-rich soil at pH 6.0–7.0 suits the cultivar. Planting depth is the principal cultural detail: position the eyes (reddish growing buds on the rhizome) no more than 2 inches (5 cm) below the soil surface. Deeper planting causes the plant to grow foliage but fail to flower — the most common reason peonies fail to bloom. Allow the color transformation to complete on each bloom (5–7 days from coral-salmon through peach to yellow) before removing the spent flower. Remove spent flower heads after the yellow stage to direct plant resources toward root development. Leave foliage in place through summer — the leaves are building energy reserves for the following spring's bloom. Cut all stems to ground level in late October or November after frost browns the foliage. The sturdy dark stems support the flowers more reliably than many coral peonies, reducing the need for a peony ring. Mildly toxic if ingested.Pruning
Allow the color transformation to complete on each bloom before removing spent flower heads. Cut all stems to ground level in late October or November after frost browns the foliage. Do not cut green foliage during summer — the leaves are building energy reserves for next spring's bloom.Pruning Schedule
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