This delightful hardy herbaceous peony is red-flowered, and named after the ever-popular Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt' (which is pale pink). However, this red version, aptly named Peony 'Red Sarah Bernhardt', is really quite unique, and has no obvious similarity, apart from the name. Growing to around 90cm in height, it produces masses of lightly scented, double flowers in late spring and early summer. The blooms, some 15-20cm across, comprise dark, pinkish-purple petals, tinged with red. When at their best, they will transform your beds, borders or patio containers. 

Peony 'Red Sarah Bernhardt' is easy to grow, and is at its happiest sited in a neutral, free-draining soil in full sun. It is very well suited to indoor arranging, too. This peony, which was first introduced in China in 1980, has stood the test of time well. It does really pack a punch in the border and, once established, it will keep coming back year after year.