Cora Louise Itoh Peony Bare Root | Intersectional Peony – Pink, White & Magenta Blooms

Bring rare colour and elegant garden impact to cool-climate gardens with Cora Louise Itoh Peony, a premium intersectional peony known for its large pale pink to creamy-white blooms, lavender tones and bold magenta-purple centre flares. With its striking flower contrast, strong stems and beautiful garden presence, Paeonia ‘Cora Louise’ is a standout choice for collectors, cottage gardens, feature planting and cut flower arrangements.

Itoh peonies, also known as intersectional peonies, combine the beauty and flower size of tree peonies with the herbaceous growth habit of traditional garden peonies. Cora Louise produces large semi-double blooms that often open with a soft blush or lavender-pink tone before fading towards creamy white, with a dramatic magenta-purple flare around the yellow centre.

Flowering around October to November in suitable Australian climates, Cora Louise creates a refined mid-spring display. Its strong stems and attractive dark green foliage make it a beautiful choice for borders, perennial beds, formal gardens, cottage-style plantings and premium cut flowers.

Supplied as a bare-root tuber packed in peat, Cora Louise Itoh Peony is suitable for planting in a sunny to lightly shaded position with fertile, free-draining soil and adequate winter chill.

Pre-Order Note

NOTE: This is a pre-order.

Stock is expected to be ready around the end of July, however this may push into August depending on seasonal conditions and supplier availability.

This item is supplied as a bare-root tuber packed in peat and may be dormant at the time of dispatch.

Images shown are example pictures only. Flower colour, size and form may vary slightly depending on plant maturity, climate and growing conditions.

If there are any supply issues, we will contact you regarding substitution options.

Any items you do not wish to have substituted will be refunded.

Important Climate Note

Peonies require winter chill to flower well. Cora Louise Itoh Peony is best suited to cool and cool-temperate Australian gardens.

It is generally best suited to areas such as VIC, TAS, ACT, SA and cooler parts of NSW, where winter temperatures provide enough chill for reliable flowering. In warmer regions, choose the coolest garden position available, provide afternoon shade, mulch well and avoid hot, exposed sites.

Peonies can take 2–3 years to flower reliably after planting, especially while they are establishing.

Features

• Premium Cora Louise Itoh Peony variety
• Also known as an intersectional peony
• Large semi-double blooms
• Pale pink to creamy-white petals
• Soft lavender tones as blooms open
• Bold magenta-purple centre flares
• Yellow centre for strong contrast
• Light to spicy fragrance
• Height approximately 60–90cm
• Flowers around October to November in suitable Australian climates
• Strong stems and attractive dark green foliage
• Excellent cut flower variety
• Ideal for borders, cottage gardens, formal gardens and feature planting
• Frost hardy once established
• Supplied as a bare-root tuber packed in peat
• Premium pre-order item, expected around the end of July to August

Planting & Care

Plant Cora Louise Itoh Peony in a position with full sun to part shade. In cooler regions, full sun is ideal. In warmer or more exposed areas, afternoon shade can help protect the plant from heat stress.

Choose fertile, free-draining soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH, around 6.5–7.0. Peonies dislike sitting in wet, heavy soil, so improve drainage before planting if needed.

Plant the bare-root tuber with the buds facing upward. The buds should sit approximately 3–5cm below the soil surface. Planting too deeply can reduce or prevent flowering.

Space plants around 90cm to 1m apart to allow room for the clump to mature and to encourage good airflow.

Water well after planting, then keep the soil lightly and consistently moist during establishment and active growth. Avoid waterlogging. Cora Louise prefers regular moisture during warm weather but should not be left sitting in wet soil.

Improve the soil at planting with compost, blood and bone, or well-rotted organic matter. Feed in early spring and again after flowering with a balanced fertiliser to support strong growth and future flowering.

Itoh peonies generally have stronger stems than many traditional herbaceous peonies, but support may still be helpful in windy areas or during wet weather when the large blooms become heavy.

After flowering, remove spent blooms but leave the foliage to continue growing. In autumn, once the foliage has naturally started to die back, cut stems down close to ground level and remove old foliage to help reduce disease issues.

Itoh peonies prefer not to be moved once established. Divide only during dormancy if plants become overcrowded or need relocating.

Flowering Time

Flowering: Mid to late spring.

In many suitable Australian regions, Cora Louise Itoh Peony flowers around October to November, depending on climate, chill hours and seasonal conditions.

Product Details

Botanical Name: Paeonia ‘Cora Louise’
Common Name: Cora Louise Itoh Peony, Intersectional Peony
Product Type: Bare-root perennial
Supplied As: Bare-root tuber packed in peat
Flower Colour: Pale pink to creamy white with lavender tones and magenta-purple centre flares
Flower Form: Large semi-double blooms
Fragrance: Light to spicy fragrance
Height: Approximately 60–90cm
Flowering Time: Mid to late spring, usually October to November in suitable climates
Aspect: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Fertile, free-draining soil
Preferred Soil pH: Approximately 6.5–7.0
Planting Depth: Buds approximately 3–5cm below soil level
Spacing: Approximately 90cm to 1m apart
Watering: Moderate; keep evenly moist during active growth without waterlogging
Frost Tolerance: Frost hardy
Climate: Best suited to cool and cool-temperate regions
Suitable Zones: Zones 1, 2 and 3
Suitable Areas: VIC, TAS, ACT, SA and cooler parts of NSW
End Use: Garden beds, borders, feature planting, cottage gardens, formal gardens, cut flowers
Availability: Pre-order, expected around the end of July to August

Pet Safety Note

Peony plant material can be harmful if eaten by pets. Keep roots, foliage and flowers away from cats, dogs and other animals if ingestion is a concern.

FAQ

What is Cora Louise Itoh Peony?

Cora Louise is an Itoh peony, also known as an intersectional peony. Itoh peonies combine features of herbaceous peonies and tree peonies, giving strong garden growth and large, showy flowers.

What colour are Cora Louise Peony flowers?

Cora Louise produces pale pink to creamy-white blooms with soft lavender tones and bold magenta-purple centre flares around a yellow centre.

Is Cora Louise Peony fragrant?

Yes. Cora Louise has a light to spicy fragrance, making it a lovely choice for both garden display and cut flowers.

How tall does Cora Louise Peony grow?

It generally grows around 60–90cm tall, depending on climate, soil and plant maturity.

When does Cora Louise Peony flower in Australia?

In suitable Australian climates, flowering is usually around October to November, depending on region and seasonal conditions.

What climates are best for Cora Louise Itoh Peony?

Cora Louise performs best in cool and cool-temperate climates with enough winter chill. It is best suited to areas such as VIC, TAS, ACT, SA and cooler parts of NSW.

Can Cora Louise Peony grow in warm climates?

It is not ideal for warm coastal, subtropical or tropical climates. In warmer areas, it may be tried in a cool, protected position with afternoon shade, but flowering may be less reliable.

Does Cora Louise Peony need winter chill?

Yes. Like other peonies, Cora Louise needs winter chill to flower well. Without enough cold exposure, plants may grow but flower poorly or not at all.

Can Cora Louise Peony grow in pots?

Yes, but it needs a large deep pot, rich free-draining soil, regular feeding and sufficient winter chill. Garden planting is usually more reliable long term.

How deep should I plant Cora Louise Peony roots?

Plant with the buds approximately 3–5cm below the soil surface. Avoid planting too deeply, as this can reduce flowering.

How far apart should I plant Cora Louise Peonies?

Space plants around 90cm to 1m apart to allow room for the clump to mature.

Does Cora Louise Peony need staking?

Cora Louise usually has strong stems, but support may still be helpful in windy areas or during wet weather when blooms become heavy.

Is Cora Louise good for cut flowers?

Yes. Cora Louise is excellent for cut flowers, with large pale blooms and strong magenta centre markings that stand out in arrangements.

Will Cora Louise Peony come back each year?

Yes. In suitable climates, it is a long-lived perennial that returns each spring.

How long does it take to flower?

Peonies may take 2–3 years to flower reliably after planting, especially while they are establishing.

Should I cut Cora Louise Peony back?

Yes. Cut stems back close to ground level in autumn once the foliage has naturally started to die back.

What is it supplied as?

It is supplied as a bare-root tuber packed in peat, ready for planting during the recommended season.

Is this a pre-order?

Yes. This item is a pre-order. Stock is expected around the end of July, however this may push into August depending on seasonal conditions and supplier availability.

What happens if there is a supply issue?

If there are any supply issues, we will contact you regarding substitution options. Any items you do not wish to have substituted will be refunded.