Key Features

• Growth Habit:
  • Upright, bushy herbaceous perennial
  • Typically grows 28–36 inches tall and 30–36 inches wide
  • Strong stems support flowers without staking
• Bloom Color:
  • Deep scarlet-red to crimson-red blooms with golden-yellow 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 a history of use in herbal medicine, though ornamental hybrids are generally grown for landscape value
• Wildlife Attraction & Pest Resistance:
  • Attracts bees and other 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 fertile, well-drained soil.
• Avoid low-lying areas where water collects 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 from its container.
• Gently loosen any circling roots while keeping the root ball intact.

5. Plant

• Position 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 a light 2-inch layer of mulch around the plant, avoiding direct contact with the crown.

8. Spacing

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

Overwintering Peony ‘Scarlet Heaven’

In-Ground Plants

• Fully hardy throughout its recommended growing zones.
• After the first hard frost, foliage will naturally die back.
• Cut stems back to 1–2 inches above ground level in late fall.

Winter Care Tips

• Apply a light protective mulch layer after the ground freezes in colder climates.
• Remove excess mulch in early spring as new growth emerges.
• Ensure good drainage throughout winter to prevent crown rot.
• Avoid disturbing established plants, as peonies prefer to remain undisturbed for many years.

Container-Grown Plants

• Move containers to a sheltered location during winter.
• Protect roots from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
• Water sparingly during dormancy, keeping soil only slightly moist.

Peony ‘Scarlet Heaven’ is a stunning Itoh Peony that delivers brilliant crimson-red flowers, handsome foliage, and exceptional garden reliability. Its vibrant blooms, sturdy growth habit, and long lifespan make it an outstanding choice for perennial borders, specimen plantings, and cut flower gardens, providing decades of spectacular spring color.