Paeonia lactiflora 'Sorbet'

Sorbet peony

Paeoniaceae

Garden hybrid (parent species from East Asia)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Fragrant (moderate)

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 3–8

Overview

Paeonia lactiflora 'Sorbet' is a clump-forming herbaceous peony reaching 28-32 inches (70-80 cm) tall and 30-36 inches (75-90 cm) wide, with deeply lobed glossy dark green foliage from spring through autumn. Bomb-double flowers measure 5-6 inches (13-15 cm) across; large outer guard petals are blush pink, the central crown is creamy yellow, and the innermost petals are pale pink, producing a layered tricolor pattern that gives the cultivar its name. Flowers carry a moderate sweet fragrance most noticeable in warm weather. 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 8-15 flowers over 2-3 weeks. Stems require staking once buds reach full size; the heavy bomb form bends stems toward the ground after rain. Foliage emerges deep red in spring, matures to glossy dark green by midsummer, and turns yellow to bronze before dying back in late autumn. Botrytis blight (Botrytis paeoniae) causes shoot collapse and bud blasting in cool, wet springs; powdery mildew develops on foliage in humid late-summer conditions. Plants are long-lived (30-50 years in undisturbed sites) but slow to recover from transplanting; flowering may pause for 2-3 years after a move.

Native Range

Paeonia lactiflora is native to central and eastern Asia, including northern China, Mongolia, Siberia, and Japan, where it grows in open meadows, scrub, and forest margins. The 'Sorbet' cultivar is a 20th-century United States garden selection and has no wild range.

Suggested Uses

Used in mixed perennial borders and dedicated peony beds spaced 36-48 inches (90-120 cm) apart, where the layered double flowers contribute color and fragrance during the late-spring bloom window. Cut flowers last 5-7 days in vase arrangements when stems are cut at the bud-puff stage. Limited to USDA zones 3-8; bloom is reduced in zones 9-10 due to insufficient cool dormancy.

How to Identify

Identified as a herbaceous peony by deeply lobed glossy dark green foliage on stems 28-32 inches (70-80 cm) tall that die back to ground level in autumn, and large flowers in late spring. The 'Sorbet' cultivar is identified by 5-6 inch (13-15 cm) bomb-double flowers showing a layered tricolor pattern of blush-pink guard petals, a creamy yellow central crown, and pale-pink innermost petals.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2'4" - 2'8"

Width/Spread2'6" - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

red

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring Summer

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 8-15 flowers per season. Bloom is reduced or skipped in years following severe summer drought and in plants moved within the previous 18 months.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

blush-pink guard petals around a creamy yellow center crown with pale-pink innermost petals

Foliage Description

deep red emerging in spring, glossy dark green in summer, yellow-bronze in autumn

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-4 years to peak flowering

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. A balanced low-nitrogen fertilizer applied in early spring and 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. Peony rings or grow-through grids placed before stems reach 12 inches (30 cm) prevent flopping during heavy rain. Clumps are long-lived in undisturbed sites and rarely require division; division in autumn every 10-15 years is the maximum interval that maintains vigor.

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

fall