Garden Candy™ Summer Sunset Itoh Peony

Fragrant, long-lasting, and sturdy, it blooms in late spring to early summer, right when the garden is calling out for something extraordinary!

Its lush, dark green foliage forms a tidy, rounded mound about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, staying attractive even after the blooms fade. The finely dissected leaves look fresh all season long and turn a lovely golden color in fall. While it doesn’t set seed pods like some other Peonies, the flowers are the main event—large, showy, and long-lasting, both on the plant and in a vase!

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Key Features

• Itoh (Intersectional) hybrid Peony with coral, apricot, and cream blooms
• Fragrant mid-to-late spring bloom time
• 2–3 feet tall and wide
• Deer and rabbit-resistant
• Cold-hardy Zones 4–9
• Cut flower favorites with strong, upright stems
• Long-lasting foliage with golden fall color

Landscaping Uses

This rounded herbaceous perennial reaches about 2–3 feet tall and wide and makes a gorgeous mid-border plant with eye-popping appeal.

Plus, the Peonies' symbolism of prosperity, romance, and honor makes them a favorite for cutting gardens and special occasions!

• Perfect for perennial borders or island beds
• Great for mixed cottage gardens
• Use as a specimen or focal point
• Add to cutting gardens for showy, scented bouquets
• Excellent in large containers
• Pollinators flock to these blooms!
• Pairs beautifully with Salvias, Irises, and Ornamental Grasses

Care and Maintenance

Garden Candy™ Itoh Peonies like Summer Sunset are the best of both worlds—cold-hardy and deer-resistant like Herbaceous Peonies, with the large, exotic blooms of Tree Peonies.

Hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 9, this Peony is remarkably adaptable, thriving in everything from chilly northern gardens to warmer southern landscapes. With strong stems that don’t flop and no need for staking, it’s a low-maintenance masterpiece.

As an herbaceous perennial, this Peony dies back to the ground each fall and returns bigger and better in spring. It's easy to grow, sun-loving, and relatively unfussy. It's sun-loving, cold-hardy, and doesn't mind a humid summer—just ensure good spacing to prevent foliar disease issues like powdery mildew.

• Planting Time: Plant container Peonies in spring or fall, and plant bareroot Peonies in the autumn
• Sun Needs: Full sun to part shade (at least 6 hours of sun)
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, rich loam; tolerates clay if amended with compost
• Moisture Needs: Moderate; water deeply during dry spells
• Mulch: A 3–4 inch deep layer of bark mulch or arborist mulch keeps roots cool and retains moisture; compost in spring improves growth
• Fertilization Needs: Fertilize in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer
• Pruning Info: Cut back dead stems in fall; no need to deadhead, but removing spent blooms keeps it tidy
• Special Needs/Perks/Growing Tips and Tricks For Success:
• Deer and rabbit-resistant
• Pest and disease resistant
• Cold-hardy and heat tolerant
• Strong stems mean no staking needed
• Division Info: Can be divided in fall every 5 years if needed, but prefers to stay put once established due to the deep roots
• Read more on Peony after-flowering care in our Garden Blog!

A Sunset You Can Plant and Swoon Over

With colors like a sherbet-streaked sky, the Garden Candy™ Summer Sunset Itoh Peony brings a splash of summer romance to your garden. It's easy to grow, dazzling to look at, and strong enough to withstand a Midwestern spring. Whether you're a die-hard Peony collector or just discovering the joy of Itohs, this one will steal the show.

Buy now and Nature Hills Nursery will ship at the appropriate planting time for your growing zone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes an Itoh Peony different from other Peonies?
Itoh Peonies are hybrids between herbaceous and Tree Peonies. They have big, exotic blooms like tree Peonies but die back in winter like herbaceous types.

How long do the blooms last on Garden Candy™ Summer Sunset Peony?
Each bloom lasts about 7–10 days, and plants can produce flowers over a 2–3 week period.

Does this Peony need to be staked?
No! One of the best features of Itoh Peonies is their strong, sturdy stems.

Is this Peony fragrant?
Yes, the Summer Sunset variety is lightly fragrant—sweet and pleasant.

Can I grow this in a container?
Yes, use a large container (at least 18–24 inches wide), with rich, well-draining soil.