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Paeonia lactiflora 'Sorbet'
Sorbet Peony
Garden hybrid (parent species from East Asia)
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
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2'4" - 2'8"
Width/Spread2'6" - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
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 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 petalsFoliage Description
deep red emerging in spring, glossy dark green in summer, yellow-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. 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
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fall
Maintenance Level
lowContainer Growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons