Peony (Paeonia 'Coral 'n Gold')
The spectacular Paeonia 'Coral 'n Gold' Peony offers single, cup-shaped coral blooms with golden centers. Ideal for Zones 3-8.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The herbaceous perennial Paeonia ‘Coral ‘n Gold’ is a highly valued addition to any spring garden, known for its reliably attractive display. This specific Peony cultivar features large, single, cup-shaped flowers in a striking combination of coral tones accented by golden yellow centers. Belonging to the genus Paeonia, this plant offers robust structure and gorgeous early-season color.
Paeonia ‘Coral ‘n Gold’ typically matures between 2.5 and 3 feet tall, providing substantial vertical interest without becoming overwhelmingly large. As a soft-stemmed peony, it reliably dies back to the ground each year, allowing for tidy late-season maintenance. Gardeners prize this variety not only for its unique bloom but also for its long lifespan and relatively low long-term care requirements once established.
The striking flowers appear early in the season, usually around May, adding essential color before summer perennials take over. For prolonged garden beauty, consider pairing Paeonia ‘Coral ‘n Gold’ with later-blooming cultivars to extend the overall Peony season across several weeks. Its attractive foliage remains appealing even after the short bloom period concludes.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Paeoniaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2.5-3 ft
- Spread: 2.5-3 ft
- Bloom Time: May
- Bloom Description: Coral & gold (single)
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting peonies like Paeonia ‘Coral ‘n Gold’ is best done in the fall, though spring planting is sometimes possible. Ensure you select a location offering rich, fertile, medium moisture, and well-drained soils. Before placing the root, incorporate compost to enhance soil fertility. Correct planting depth is crucial; the eyes (growth buds) should be no more than 2 inches below the soil surface when planting this Peony.
Once established, this Peony requires medium watering, benefiting from consistent moisture, especially during dry spells and bud development. Maintenance is generally low; deadhead spent flowers after their approximate 7-10 day bloom period concludes. Do not fertilize heavily, as excessive nitrogen can promote foliage growth at the expense of blooms.
A significant seasonal care task involves autumn cleanup. After the first hard frost kills the foliage, cut the entire plant down to the ground level and remove the debris from the garden area. This practice helps prevent the overwintering of fungal diseases. Note that Paeonia ‘Coral ‘n Gold’ plants are exceptionally long-lived and should not need division for many years.
Landscape Uses
Peonies are a standard of the perennial border, providing structure and vibrant color during their bloom window. Paeonia ‘Coral ‘n Gold’ works beautifully as a specimen plant where its unique early blooms can be appreciated, or grouped together to create a dramatic sweep of color in late spring. They function effectively as accents along pathways, driveways, or set against walls and fences.
The attractive green foliage of this Peony offers substance and visual interest throughout the summer and into early fall, acting as an excellent frame or backdrop for shorter, later-blooming perennials. When designing, pair them with early spring bulbs that finish before the Peony emerges, and mid-to-late summer bloomers that will take over once the ‘Coral ‘n Gold’ foliage begins to fade.
Because they are long-lived anchors in the garden, plan their placement carefully. They merge well with classic cottage garden plantings, offering a robust contrast to delicate fillers. Their mid-height stature (2.5-3 feet) makes them perfect for the middle register of a mixed border.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
This cultivar, Paeonia ‘Coral ‘n Gold’, is an herbaceous, soft-stemmed peony displaying shrubby growth annually before dying back post-frost. It features large, single, cup-shaped blooms in coral with golden centers, often appearing semi-double due to an above-average petal count for a single type. The genus name honors Paeon, the physician of the Greek gods, reflecting their historical medicinal use.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
Potential Problems
Peonies are generally considered pest-free, though gardeners should watch for fungal issues like Botrytis blight and Phytophthora blight, particularly in humid conditions or poorly drained soils. Ants are commonly observed on the developing buds; they are attracted to the nectar and are entirely harmless to the plant itself.
If your Paeonia ‘Coral ‘n Gold’ fails to produce blooms, several cultural factors might be responsible. The most frequent culprits include planting the rootstock either too deep or too shallow, excessive shade obstructing necessary afternoon sun, frost damage killing the nascent flower buds, or the plant being too young or recently transplanted.
To prevent blight issues, ensure proper air circulation around the plants and always remove all foliage debris from the area in the fall after a hard frost. Correct planting depth and adequate sun exposure are the best preventative measures to ensure robust flowering of your Peony collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Peony suitable for?
Paonia ‘Coral ‘n Gold’ is well-suited for cultivation across USDA Zones 3 through 8.
How large does Paeonia ‘Coral ‘n Gold’ grow?
This herbaceous perennial typically reaches a height and spread ranging from 2.5 to 3 feet at maturity.
What sun exposure does Peony need?
For optimal flowering, Paeonia ‘Coral ‘n Gold’ requires full sun, though it can tolerate partial shade conditions.
When does Paeonia ‘Coral ‘n Gold’ bloom?
This Peony variety is known for its early bloom time, generally flowering throughout May, producing distinctive coral and gold single blooms.
Conclusion
Paeonia ‘Coral ‘n Gold’ stands out as a superb early-season performer, delivering unique coral and gold coloring on long-lived, easy-to-manage herbaceous perennial stock. This Peony provides substantial early garden structure and impressive flower quality. Before planting, confirm that your site offers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil to ensure decades of beautiful blooms.
Companion Planting for Peonies
Because the Peony bloom period is relatively short compared to summer perennials, successful companion planting focuses on succession. Use early spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils that finish blooming just as Paeonia ‘Coral ‘n Gold’ begins sending up its shoots. When the Peony foliage is at its peak, plants like Siberian Iris or early Allium varieties can offer structural contrast.
As the heat of summer arrives and the Peony foliage potentially declines slightly, ensure you have mid-summer stars planted nearby. Hostas (if in partial shade), Salvia nemorosa varieties, or Oriental Poppies (which share a similar sun preference) will fill the gaps left by the early-season Peony display.
Consider the soil needs; since Paeonia ‘Coral ‘n Gold’ requires fertile, well-drained soil, choose companions that share these medium water and nutrient requirements. Avoid planting moisture-loving species directly next to the base which could lead to overly saturated conditions detrimental to the Peony roots.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring (Pre-Bloom): Water consistently as shoots emerge. Gently remove any remaining winter protective mulch after the danger of hard frost has passed. Be patient; peonies can be slow to emerge early in the season.
Summer (Post-Bloom): Deadhead the spent Coral and gold flowers to tidy the appearance, but leave the foliage intact. This allows the leaves to properly photosynthesize and store energy for next year’s flowering potential. Ensure medium watering continues until early fall.
Fall (Post-Frost): This is crucial cleanup time for herbaceous types. After the leaves have been blackened by frost, cut all stems down cleanly to the ground level. Remove this plant matter from the garden to minimize the chance of fungal spores overwintering near the crown of your Paeonia ‘Coral ‘n Gold’.
