Key Features

• Growth Habit:
  • Upright, bushy herbaceous perennial
  • Typically grows 28–36 inches tall and 30–36 inches wide
  • Strong stems rarely require staking
• Bloom Color:
  • Soft lavender-pink to rosy pink blooms with darker purple-pink centers
• 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 garden plant
  • Traditional peony species have historical herbal uses, though ornamental hybrids are generally grown for landscape beauty
• Wildlife Attraction & Pest Resistance:
  • Attracts 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 3.5" Pot into the Ground)

1. Choose the Location

• Select a location with full sun and well-drained soil.
• Avoid areas where water stands after rain.

2. Prepare the Soil

• Loosen soil 10–12 inches deep.
• Incorporate compost or aged organic matter to improve fertility and drainage.

3. Dig the Hole

• Dig a hole twice as wide as the 3.5" pot and equal depth.

4. Remove from Pot

• Carefully remove the plant and gently loosen any circling roots without excessively disturbing the root ball.

5. Plant

• Place the root ball at the same depth it was growing in the pot.
• Backfill with soil and gently firm around the roots.

6. Water Thoroughly

• Water deeply after planting.
• Keep soil evenly moist during the first growing season.

7. Mulch

• Apply 2 inches of mulch around the plant, keeping mulch away from the crown.

8. Spacing

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

Overwintering Peony ‘First Arrival’

In-Ground Plants

• Fully hardy throughout its recommended growing zones.
• After the first hard frost, foliage will naturally die back.
• Cut stems down to 1–2 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 shoots emerge.
• Avoid planting too deeply, which can reduce flowering.
• Ensure good drainage throughout winter to prevent crown rot.

Container-Grown Plants

• Move containers to a protected location where roots will not repeatedly freeze and thaw.
• Water sparingly during dormancy, allowing soil to remain only slightly moist.

Peony ‘First Arrival’ is a truly exceptional Itoh Peony that combines huge lavender-pink blooms, sturdy stems, and outstanding garden performance. Its early flowering habit, elegant coloration, and long-lived nature make it a stunning focal point in perennial borders, cottage gardens, and cutting gardens for decades to come.