Pastel Lilas – Peony – Itoh - Paeonia hybrid

Pastel Lilas Peony (Paeonia hybrida) is a breathtaking Itoh hybrid featuring single to semi-double blooms that gracefully evolve from tender mauve to a soft creamy lemon, enhanced by delicate raspberry flares highlighting golden stamens. Offering a long flowering period in mid-spring, this elegant variety is perfect for garden display or as a stunning cut flower.

🌿 Key Features

• Botanical Name: Paeonia hybrida ‘Pastel Lilas’
• Bloom Colour: Mauve-to-cream gradient with raspberry accents
• Flower Type: Single to semi-double, mid-season
• Height: 60–80 cm
• Flower Time: October–November (mid-spring)
• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
• Water-Wise: Yes—adaptable once established
• Frost Hardy: Yes
• Supplied As: Bare-root tuber in peat (plant May–July)
• Uses: Garden borders, cut-flower displays, luxury clumping plantings

🌼 Why You Should Buy

• Elegantly Unique Blooms: Soft, multi-tonal flowers create a charming visual focal point
• Long-Lasting Floral Display: Extended mid-season flowering enhances garden appeal
• Sturdy & Reliable: Strong stems hold blooms upward—excellent cut-flower choice
• Low-Maintenance: Hardy, water-wise, and thriving in cool zones
• Ideal for Designer Gardens: Adds sophistication to both formal and casual plantings

🌱 Itoh/Intersectional Peony: Growing Guide

Itoh peonies merge the floral charm of herbaceous peonies with the strength of tree peonies—flowering reliably after 2–3 years:

• Soil & pH: Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil (pH 6.5–7.0); enrich soil at planting with compost or blood & bone
• Plant Depth & Spacing: Place buds 3–5 cm deep; leave ~1 m between plants
• Sunlight: Thrives in full sun; partial shade ideal in hotter climates
• Watering: Maintain consistent moisture during warm periods; drought-tolerant once established
• Feeding: Apply balanced fertiliser in spring and again after flowering
• Winter Care: May not die back entirely; cold exposure encourages flowering—avoid thick mulch
• Pruning: Trim stems to ~10 cm after leaves fall to reduce disease risk
• Division: Divide only after 5–7 years, during dormancy; transplant quickly to conserve roots
• Container Growing: Suitable for large pots with sufficient depth, winter chill, and nutrient-rich soil

❓ FAQs

Can Pastel Lilas be grown in containers?
Yes—deep pots (30 cm+), nutrient soil, and winter chilling are essential.

When does it bloom in Australia?
Typically flowers mid-spring, around October–November.

Is it frost-tolerant?
Yes—it thrives in cold, frost-prone regions.

What soil pH is best?
Neutral to slightly acidic (pH 6.5–7.0) is ideal.

Does it need staking?
Generally no—stems are strong, but staking may help in windy or wet conditions.