Overview

Introduce timeless elegance to your garden with the exquisite Shirley Temple Peony bare root. This highly sought-after variety is celebrated for its magnificent, fully double flowers that transition beautifully from a soft white to a delicate blush pink as they mature. A true garden classic, this peony is a prolific bloomer, ensuring a spectacular display each year. The Shirley Temple Peony bare root is an excellent choice for gardeners looking to extend their peony blooming season, as it typically flowers later than many other varieties. Its robust nature and stunning aesthetic make it a perfect addition to any landscape, providing both visual appeal and a delightful fragrance.

As a bare root plant, the Shirley Temple Peony bare root is shipped in its dormant state, ready for planting in fall or early spring. This allows the plant to establish its root system before the growing season, leading to stronger, more vigorous growth and abundant blooms. Known for its longevity, this peony will provide years of beauty with minimal fuss. Its large, impressive flowers and attractive foliage make it a focal point in borders, perennial beds, or as a standalone specimen plant.

Key Benefits

The Shirley Temple Peony bare root offers numerous advantages for any gardener, from its captivating blooms to its easy-care nature. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Spectacular Double Blooms: Enjoy large, 8-inch, fully double flowers that boast a charming color transformation from pristine white to soft, light pink. These dramatic blooms are a highlight in any garden.
• Exceptional Fragrance: The blossoms of this peony release a strong, sweet fragrance, making it an ideal choice for planting near patios, walkways, or windows where its scent can be fully appreciated.
• Extended Bloom Season: As a late-spring bloomer, the Shirley Temple Peony bare root helps prolong your garden’s peony display, providing continuous color and interest after earlier varieties have faded.
• Excellent Cut Flower: With strong stems that support its large blooms, this peony is perfect for cutting. Create stunning bouquets that bring the beauty and fragrance of your garden indoors.
• Long-Lived and Prolific: This peony is known for its incredible longevity and ability to produce abundant flowers year after year, becoming a cherished part of your landscape for decades.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, this peony requires minimal care, making it an excellent choice for both experienced gardeners and those new to cultivating peonies.
• Hardy and Adaptable: Thriving in USDA Zones 3-7, this peony is remarkably resilient and can withstand a range of climatic conditions, making it suitable for many regions.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper care is essential for your Shirley Temple Peony bare root to flourish and produce its stunning blooms. Peonies are notoriously easy to grow once established, but a good start is key. This variety prefers a location with full sun to light shade, especially in hotter southern states where some afternoon protection can prevent leaf scorch. Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flowering. When planting, ensure the eyes (growth buds) on the bare root are no more than 2 inches below the soil surface. Planting too deeply is a common reason for a peony to bloom poorly or not at all.

The ideal soil for a fragrant peony plant is well-draining, fertile, and slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.5-7.0). Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter like compost to improve drainage and aeration. Water regularly after planting to help establish the root system, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Once established, peonies are relatively drought-tolerant but will benefit from deep watering during dry spells, particularly when buds are forming. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer or a specific bulb and perennial food, avoiding high-nitrogen formulas which can promote foliage at the expense of flowers.

Peonies are hardy in USDA Zones 3-7. They require a period of cold dormancy to set flower buds, making them unsuitable for very warm climates. Protect young plants from strong winds. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage plant vigor, but allow foliage to remain until it naturally dies back in the fall. This allows the plant to store energy for the following year’s blooms. Dividing peonies is rarely necessary and can even set back flowering for a few years, so choose a permanent spot for your Shirley Temple Peony bare root. Understanding the specific needs of your peony care guide will ensure years of beautiful blooms from this classic variety.

Size & Details

This offering is for one Shirley Temple Peony bare root, typically supplied with 2-3 eyes (growth buds), indicating a healthy and robust start for your plant. Upon establishment, this magnificent peony will grow to an impressive height of 2-3 feet (approximately 30-36 inches) with a similar spread, creating a substantial and impactful presence in the garden. The large, fully double blooms can reach up to 8 inches in diameter. As a bare root, the plant is dormant upon arrival, ensuring a stress-free transplant and successful establishment. It is a vigorous grower, and with proper care, you can expect the first blooms within 1-2 years after planting, with increasingly abundant displays in subsequent seasons. This double white peony is a long-lived perennial, promising decades of beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Shirley Temple Peony bare root get? A: This Shirley Temple Peony bare root typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (30-36 inches) and spreads about the same width, forming a substantial and attractive clump in your garden.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Shirley Temple Peony is an outdoor plant that thrives in garden settings. It requires a period of winter dormancy to produce its beautiful flowers.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For optimal blooming, this peony requires full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. In very hot climates, it can tolerate light afternoon shade.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, once established, the Shirley Temple Peony is considered a low-maintenance plant. Following a good peony care guide will ensure its success, making it suitable for gardeners of various experience levels.
• Q: What condition will the bare root arrive in? A: Your Shirley Temple Peony bare root will arrive dormant, which is the ideal state for planting. It will have 2-3 eyes, indicating healthy growth potential.
• Q: How long until it blooms? A: While some bare root peonies may produce a few blooms in their first year, you can generally expect a more significant floral display in the second or third year after planting.
• Q: When is the best time to plant this late spring peony? A: The best times to plant this bare root peony are in the fall (September to October) or early spring (April to May) before new growth begins.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: The Shirley Temple Peony is very hardy and thrives in USDA Zones 3-7, meaning it is well-suited to survive cold winters in these regions.
• Q: What makes this a fragrant peony plant? A: The Shirley Temple Peony is highly prized for its strong, sweet fragrance, which is a key characteristic of its beautiful double blooms.