Peonies are treasured for their lush, full blooms that come in a stunning array of colors While red, white and purple shades are most common, pink peonies with golden yellow centers offer unique beauty that really makes them stand out The contrast between the pink outer petals and sunny interior flare creates vibrant depth and dimension for serious visual impact.
There are several reasons why peonies with this bicolor pink and yellow coloration make such an eye-catching statement:
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Complementary Colors – Pink and yellow are directly opposite each other on the color wheel, creating strong natural contrast.
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Warm and Cool Tones – The pink petals are cooler in tone while the yellow centers are warm intensifying the difference.
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Focal Point – The yellow center draws attention instantly into the flower’s heart.
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Dimension – The two distinct colors add shape and depth.
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Rarity – This color combo is less common than solid pinks.
When you combine all these elements, it’s easy to see why these bi-colored blooms attract admiration. The soft pink petals provide the perfect delicate frame for the bold, sunny yellow interior accents.
Best Bright Pink and Yellow Peony Varieties
Many peony hybridizers have worked diligently to develop varieties boasting this much-loved pink and yellow flower palette. Here are some of the most popular picks:
‘Bowl of Beauty’
Large, 12-inch wide flowers in deep fuchsia-pink with frilly lemon-yellow centers on 3 foot tall plants. Blooms in early midseason. Introduced in 1949.
‘Bowl of Cream’
Enormous 10-inch double white blooms reveal pink and yellow stamen accents. 1964 All-America Selections winner. Grows about 3 feet tall.
‘Butterflies in Flight’
Profuse cherry-pink semi-double blooms with white and yellow central flares reminiscent of butterflies hovering above the foliage. Introduced in 2014.
‘Joy of Longevity’
Tree peony with 8-10 inch blooms featuring deep pink outer guard petals surrounding vivid purple and yellow centers. Compact grower to 4 feet tall.
‘Raspberry Sundae’
Bomb-type flowers look like pink ice cream swirled with creamy yellow. Sweet, mild fragrance. 1968 introduction by famous hybridizer Carl Klehm.
‘Cora Louise’
Soft white petals with pink edges surround chartreuse and yellow stamen centers. Blooms up to 8 inches wide on 31⁄2 foot tall plants.
Growing Tips for Pink and Yellow Peonies
Follow these simple tips for success with pink and yellow peonies:
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Plant in full sun in fertile, well-draining soil. Provide good air circulation.
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Set bulbs 2-3 inches below soil level in fall. Eyes should point up. Space 3-4 feet apart.
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Water regularly the first year. Mature plants are quite drought tolerant.
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Apply a balanced fertilizer or compost in early spring. Avoid high nitrogen.
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Cut flower stems when half the buds on a stem are open. Condition in warm water.
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Stake taller varieties that tend to flop, especially when in bloom.
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After bloom, cut back stems and remove spent flowers to encourage rebloom.
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Divide congested clumps every 3-5 years in fall to maintain vigor.
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Mulch roots in winter to prevent freeze/thaw damage in colder climates.
Where to Use Pink and Yellow Peonies
Here are some ideal ways to showcase pink and yellow peonies:
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Plant in perennial borders or cottage gardens for bold late spring color.
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Feature in mixed flowering bouquets – the bicolor blooms will stand out beautifully.
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Cluster in a informal drift planting for big visual impact.
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Grow in containers on patios, decks or entryways.
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Pair with complementary colors like purples, blues and whites.
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Use as vibrant accent points throughout sunny garden beds.
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Mix with other spring-blooming bulbs and perennials.
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Cut for showy floral table arrangements and centerpieces.
Let these suggestions inspire you to find creative ways to include stunning pink and yellow peonies in your landscape. The right placement will allow their gorgeous bicolor blooms to shine.
If you love peonies but want something beyond basic pink, white or red, be sure to give these bright pink and sunny yellow varieties a try. Their two-tone, complementary flower colors will give your garden a vibrant, artful boost.
The Best Pink Peonies
Paeonia × suffruticosa ‘Joy of Longevity’ syn. P. × suffruticosa ‘Shimane Chojuraku’ Zones: 4–9
‘Joy of Longevity’ is a tree peony with stunning color contrast in its flowers. The centers of the blooms are a deep fuchsia-pink that fades to a lighter pink around the edges of the petals. There are also dark purple flares at the base of each petal, surrounding yellow and purple centers. These blooms are semi-double and 8 to 10 inches wide, covering the plant in early June and emitting a soft, sweet fragrance. ‘Joy of Longevity’ has a compact, rounded habit and will reach 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
‘Doreen’ is a peony where stamens steal the show
P. lactiflora ‘Doreen’ Zones: 3–8
‘Doreen’ peony has deeply pink, fragrant flowers. But what makes its flowers unique is their large centers of frilly, yellow staminoides that look like entire flowers in and of themselves. Apart from the color contrast of yellow and pink, there’s also a pronounced textural contrast between the petals, which are as smooth as rose petals, and the stamens, which look like they’re made out of paper mache. ‘Doreen’ is a herbaceous peony that will grow about 28 inches tall.
Hot pink peony with yellow center
FAQ
What are the pink peonies with yellow stamens?
Paeonia Birthday (Early-Mid Season Flowering)
Absolutely beautiful herbaceous peony with huge pale pink, bowl-shaped slightly frilly-edged flowers with golden yellow stamens. Pale-green foliage, very attractive. Any fertile, free-draining soil in full sun or part shade in any sheltered position.
Do peonies have a yellow center?
Peony blossoms can have a single row of petals which makes the yellow stamens in the center more noticeable. Japanese peonies are singles with 5 petals and pronounced stamens which do not produce pollen.
What is the rarest color of peony?
Purple is the most rare peony color. Peonies come in several forms, including herbaceous peonies, tree peonies, and Itoh peonies (which are intersectional hybrids), among others.
Why did my pink peonies turn yellow?
“Peonies like good drainage and overly wet soil can result in rots or wilts. Typically, initial wilting will occur in warm weather, followed by partial recovery in the evening. The wilt will intensify and leaves yellow, often taking on a scorched appearance.