Key Features

• Growth Habit:
  • Upright herbaceous perennial
  • Typically grows 30–36 inches tall and 24–36 inches wide
  • Bushy, long-lived growth with sturdy flowering stems
• Bloom Color:
  • Deep crimson-red to ruby-red double blooms
• Fragrance:
  • Light to moderate 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 herbal uses, though ornamental cultivars are generally grown for landscape and floral display
• Wildlife Attraction & Pest Resistance:
  • Attracts bees and beneficial pollinators during bloom season
  • Deer resistant
  • Rabbit resistant
  • Generally resistant to pests and diseases once established
• Planting Zones: USDA Zones 3–8
• 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

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Planting Instructions (From a Bareroot into the Ground)

1. Choose the Location

• Select a sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil.
• Avoid low-lying areas where water may collect during winter or spring.

2. Prepare the Soil

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

3. Inspect the Bareroot

• Examine the bareroot and locate the pink or white growth buds ("eyes").
• Soak the roots in water for 1–2 hours before planting if they appear dry.

4. Dig the Planting Hole

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

5. Position the Root

• Place the bareroot over the soil mound with roots spread outward.
• Position the eyes facing upward.
• In cold climates, plant the eyes no deeper than 1–2 inches below the soil surface.
• Planting too deeply can reduce or prevent flowering.

6. Backfill

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

7. Mulch

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

8. Spacing

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

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Overwintering Peony ‘Karl Rosenfield’

In-Ground Plants

• Fully hardy throughout USDA Zones 3–8.
• Foliage will naturally die back after the first hard frost.
• Cut stems down to 1–2 inches above the ground 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 begin to emerge.
• Ensure good drainage throughout winter to prevent crown rot.
• Avoid disturbing established plants, as peonies often bloom best when left undisturbed for many years.

First-Year Plantings

• Newly planted bareroot peonies may focus on root development during their first year.
• Flower production often increases significantly during the second and third growing seasons.

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Peony ‘Karl Rosenfield’ is a timeless garden treasure that produces spectacular crimson-red blooms and dependable performance year after year. Its enormous double flowers, elegant fragrance, and remarkable longevity make it one of the finest peonies for perennial borders, cutting gardens, and heirloom-inspired landscapes.