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Paeonia 'Scarlet Heaven'
Scarlet Heaven Itoh Peony
Garden hybrid (parent species from East Asia)
Overview
Paeonia 'Scarlet Heaven' is an Itoh (intersectional) peony hybrid reaching 24-28 inches (60-70 cm) tall and 30-36 inches (75-90 cm) wide, with deeply lobed dark green foliage that combines features of herbaceous and tree peonies. Single flowers measure 6-7 inches (15-18 cm) across, with scarlet-red to bright red-orange petals around a central boss of golden yellow stamens; petal color is most saturated at first opening and fades to a deeper brick red over 3-4 days. Flowers face outward and upward on stems sturdy enough to remain upright without staking. Bloom occurs from mid-May through early June in zones 5-7 and from late April through May in zones 8, with each plant producing 12-20 flowers over 2-3 weeks. Foliage emerges deep red in spring, matures to glossy dark green by midsummer, and dies back to ground level after first hard frost. Plants take on the bushy form of tree peonies during the bloom season but die back fully like garden peonies; stems do not persist through winter. Botrytis blight (Botrytis paeoniae) causes shoot collapse in cool, wet springs; foliage in humid late-summer conditions develops powdery mildew that is cosmetic. Itoh peonies do not transplant well after the third growing season and are difficult to divide.
Native Range
Itoh peonies are intersectional hybrids developed in 1948 by Toichi Itoh of Japan, crossing herbaceous P. lactiflora with tree peony P. x lemoinei (yellow tree peony hybrids). 'Scarlet Heaven' is a 1999 United States introduction from Roger Anderson and has no wild range. The herbaceous parent P. lactiflora is native to central and eastern Asia.Suggested Uses
Used in mixed perennial borders and dedicated peony beds spaced 36-48 inches (90-120 cm) apart, where the bushy form contributes presence after spring bloom through autumn dieback. Container plantings are not recommended for long-term use; root volume requirements exceed practical pot sizes. Limited to USDA zones 4-9; bloom is reduced in zones 9-10 due to insufficient cool dormancy.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 2'4"
Width/Spread2'6" - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Bloom occurs from mid-May through early June in zones 5-7 and from late April through May in zones 8, with individual flowers lasting 5-7 days and the entire bloom period covering 2-3 weeks. A mature plant produces 12-20 flowers per season. Bloom is reduced or skipped in years following severe summer drought or in plants moved within the previous 18 months.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
scarlet-red to bright red-orange single petals around a central boss of golden yellow stamensFoliage Description
deep red emerging in spring, glossy dark green in summer, yellow to bronze in autumnGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Crowns are planted in autumn at a depth of 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) below soil level (deeper planting reduces flowering), spaced 36-48 inches (90-120 cm) apart in soil enriched with compost. Watering once per week during the first growing season aids establishment; mature plants tolerate average garden moisture but flower size and number decline under sustained drought. Annual top-dressing with compost in spring and a balanced low-nitrogen fertilizer after bloom maintains vigor; high-nitrogen feeds produce floppy foliage and reduce flowering. Botrytis blight (Botrytis paeoniae) causes shoot collapse and bud blasting in cool, wet springs; affected stems are cut back to healthy tissue. Itoh peonies are long-lived in undisturbed sites and do not benefit from division; division attempts often result in 2-3 years of reduced flowering. Voles occasionally girdle crowns in winter under heavy mulch.Pruning
Foliage is cut to ground level in late autumn after first hard frost and removed from the site to limit overwintering of botrytis spores. Spent flowers are cut at the first set of leaves below the bloom to reduce seed pod development. Mid-season pruning is not part of routine maintenance.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fall
Maintenance Level
lowContainer Growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons