Key Features

• Growth Habit:
  • Upright, bushy intersectional (Itoh) perennial
  • Typically grows 28–36 inches tall and 30–36 inches wide
  • Strong stems support blooms without staking
• Bloom Color:
  • Soft buttery yellow blooms that mature to shades of peach, apricot, cream, and blush tones
• Fragrance:
  • Light, sweet floral fragrance
• Fruit Flavor:
  • Not grown for edible fruit production
• Culinary Uses:
  • No significant culinary uses
• Medicinal & Traditional Uses:
  • Primarily cultivated as an ornamental flowering perennial
  • Traditional peony species have historical use in herbal medicine, though Itoh hybrids are grown mainly for landscape and floral display
• Wildlife Attraction & Pest Resistance:
  • Attracts bees and beneficial pollinators during bloom season
  • Deer resistant
  • Rabbit resistant
  • Highly resistant to most pests and diseases
• Planting Zones: USDA Zones 4–9
• Sun Preferences:
  • Full sun to light partial shade
  • Best flowering occurs with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Drought Tolerance:
  • Moderate once established

Planting Instructions (From a Bareroot into the Ground)

1. Choose the Location

• Select a location with fertile, well-drained soil and excellent air circulation.
• Avoid low-lying areas where water collects during winter.

2. Prepare the Soil

• Loosen soil 12–18 inches deep.
• Incorporate compost or aged organic matter to improve drainage and fertility.

3. Prepare the Bareroot

• Inspect the root and identify the visible growth buds ("eyes").
• Soak the bareroot in water for 1–2 hours before planting if roots appear dry.

4. Dig the Planting Hole

• Dig a hole wide enough to comfortably spread the roots.
• Create a small mound of soil in the center of the planting hole.

5. Position the Root

• Spread the roots evenly over the mound.
• Position the eyes facing upward.
• Place the eyes approximately 1–2 inches below the finished soil surface.

6. Backfill and Water

• Fill the hole with soil and gently firm around the roots.
• Water thoroughly to settle the soil and remove air pockets.

7. Mulch

• Apply a light layer of mulch around the planting area while keeping mulch away from the crown.

8. Spacing

• Space plants 30–36 inches apart to allow room for mature growth and proper airflow.

Overwintering Canary Brilliants™ Itoh Peony

In-Ground Plants

• Fully hardy throughout USDA Zones 4–9.
• Foliage will naturally die back following the first hard frost.
• Cut stems back to 2–3 inches above ground level in late fall.

Winter Care Tips

• Apply a light mulch layer after the ground freezes in colder climates.
• Remove excess mulch in early spring as new growth begins.
• Ensure excellent drainage throughout winter to prevent crown rot.
• Avoid disturbing established plants, as Itoh peonies often improve with age and bloom more heavily each year.

Newly Planted Bareroots

• First-year plants typically focus on root establishment.
• Flower production increases significantly during the second and third growing seasons.

Container-Grown Plants

• Move containers to a protected location during winter.
• Protect roots from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
• Water sparingly while dormant.

Canary Brilliants™ Itoh Peony is an exceptional garden performer that produces massive color-shifting blooms in soft shades of yellow, peach, and cream. Its sturdy stems, lush foliage, long bloom season, and remarkable cold hardiness make it a spectacular focal point for perennial borders, cottage gardens, and premium cut flower displays.