Bright Pink Peonies with Stunning Yellow Centers: A Spectacular Combination for the Garden

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Robby

If you enjoy peonies, I insist that you must have at least one pink variety in your garden.

It’s the classic color that most of us picture when we imagine the perfect peony. It’s the ideal color choice to highlight those elegant blossoms and evoke a sense of romance.

But pink isn’t just for adding sweetness to the flower garden. There is such a huge range of hues, from deep raspberry to salmon to shell pink.

Some peony flowers even sport a combination of hues, in stripes or spots. Gardeners with a penchant for drama will find plenty to choose from.

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Whether you’re looking for something bold and bright or soft and sweet, you’ve got a million options. The biggest challenge is narrowing it down.

By the way, if you aren’t familiar with the different types of peony flowers, such as Japanese, bomb, and anemone, visit our guide to learn more.

We’ve got your back with 41 of the best pink peonies, from classic pastel beauties to bold stripey numbers. Here’s the list:

Peonies are one of the most beloved flowers for the spring garden treasured for their lush, full blooms in an array of vibrant colors. Most people picture peonies in classic hues of red white, purple and pink. But peonies that combine bright pink petals with sunny yellow centers offer a striking color combination that really makes them stand out.

The bold contrast between the outer pink petals and inner golden flare creates an eye-catching pop There’s something very special about pink and yellow peonies Let’s explore what makes this bicolor pairing so spectacular.

Why Pink and Yellow Peonies Dazzle

There are several reasons this color duo has such visual impact:

  • Complementary colors – Pink and yellow sit opposite each other on the color wheel, creating natural contrast.

  • Warm and cool tones – The pink petals have a cooler tone while the yellow centers are warm intensifying the difference.

  • Focal point – The yellow centers instantly draw the eye to the flower’s heart.

  • Dimension – The two distinct colors add shape and depth.

  • Rarity – This less common color combo attracts admiration.

The soft pink petals form a delicate frame for the bold, sunny yellow interior. It’s easy to see why these bi-colored blooms attract so much admiration.

Best Varieties of Pink and Yellow Peonies

Many talented hybridizers have developed peony varieties combining these much-loved pink and yellow hues. Here are some of the most popular picks:

  • ‘Bowl of Beauty’ – Huge 12-inch flowers in deep fuchsia-pink with lemon-yellow centers.

  • ‘Bowl of Cream’ – Double white blooms with pink and yellow stamen accents.

  • ‘Butterflies in Flight’ – Cherry-pink semi-double blooms with yellow and white central flares.

  • ‘Joy of Longevity’ – Purple and yellow centers surrounded by deep pink.

  • ‘Raspberry Sundae’ – Pink blooms swirled with creamy yellow, like ice cream.

  • ‘Cora Louise’ – White petals with pink edges and chartreuse centers.

Growing Tips for Stunning Results

Follow these simple tips for success with pink and yellow peonies:

  • Plant in full sun in fertile, well-draining soil. Good air circulation is key.

  • Set roots 2-3 inches below soil level in fall, with eyes pointing up. Space 3-4 feet apart.

  • Water regularly the first year. Mature plants are quite drought tolerant.

  • Apply balanced fertilizer or compost in early spring. Avoid high nitrogen.

  • Cut flower stems when half the buds are open. Condition in warm water.

  • Stake taller varieties that tend to flop, especially when blooming.

  • After bloom, cut back spent stems and deadhead to encourage rebloom.

  • Divide congested clumps every 3-5 years in fall to maintain vigor.

  • Mulch roots in winter to prevent freeze/thaw damage in colder climates.

Where to Use These Dazzling Peonies

Here are some ideal ways to showcase pink and yellow peonies:

  • Plant in perennial borders or cottage gardens for bold late spring color.

  • Feature in mixed flowering bouquets – they’ll stand out beautifully.

  • Cluster in informal drift plantings for big visual impact.

  • Grow in containers on patios, decks or entryways.

  • Pair with complementary colors like purples, blues and whites.

  • Use as vibrant accents throughout sunny garden beds.

  • Mix with other spring-blooming bulbs and perennials.

  • Cut for showy floral table arrangements and centerpieces.

Use these suggestions to inspire creative ways to include these stunners in your landscape. Proper placement will let their gorgeous blooms 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 captivating two-tone, complementary flower colors will give your garden an eye-catching boost.

bright pink peony with yellow center

1 Coral Pom Pom

The early midseason bomb type peony ‘Coral Pom Pom’ is a showstopper.

The young flowers emerge in bright pink before fading to a sweet coral with darker pink edges. Each blossom can reach up to six inches across.

With an upright growth on a 34-inch shrub, the long stems are perfect for cutting, and the flowers can last up to 10 days in a vase.

The plant might need a little propping up as they open since they can be a little top-heavy.

If you are a fan of Japanese-type peony flowers, ‘Do Tell’ should top your list.

Bred by Edward Auten Jr. in 1946, it has wide, pale, orchid-pink outer petals surrounding narrow fuchsia petals (actually staminodes). It maintains its color even as it ages, with no fading.

bright pink peony with yellow center

Auten helped earn Princeville, Illinois, its reputation as a leading source of exceptional peonies. He bred over 300 named cultivars, many of which you can still find today.

The flowers can reach up to seven inches wide on a 32-inch tall plant, and each plant produces masses of blooms.

This early bloomer was awarded the American Peony Society’s Gold Medal in 2004.

2 Monsieur Jules Elie

Bred by horticulturalist François Félix Crousse in 1888, ‘Monsieur Jules Elie’ is an heirloom peony cultivar that can be found in classic peony gardens around the globe.

No one is quite sure who the namesake was, but he would undoubtedly be proud.

The outer “guard” petals of the deep pink, double flowers are flat, acting as a platform for the heavily ruffled center petals, which form a large, round mound.

Peonies with this flower form are known as bomb double, and they’re eye-catching.

And the blossoms are huge, measuring up to eight inches across on a three-foot-tall plant.

The stems are a bit loose, meaning you might need to stake the flowers. Or just cut them and add them to an arrangement, which is how they really shine.

This plant is tolerant of heat, making it a favorite in southern gardens, and was a winner of the American Peony Society Gold Medal as well as the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1993.

Visit Nature Hills Nursery to bring home this Victorian garden staple in a #3 container to take advantage of the early midseason show.

‘Moon River’ is picture-perfect. Some peonies look almost too perfect to be real, and this midseason beauty bred by Carl Klehm in 1972 is one of those.

bright pink peony with yellow center

The eight-inch-wide flowers are perfectly symmetrical and round with a heady rose-like fragrance on a three-foot shrub.

Each double blossom is multicolored with blush pink and cream petals. As they fade, they turn nearly white with just the faintest hint of pink.

The stems are strong enough to support themselves and stand tall in cut arrangements.

‘Neon’ is striking. This Japanese type peony has dark rose pink outer petals and inner petals (staminodes).

What sets it apart is the bright golden-yellow trim that appears on the ruffled edges of the staminodes.

bright pink peony with yellow center

It almost makes the seven-inch flowers look like they’re on fire. If you can fight the pollinators off, you can stick your nose into the bloom for a spicy, sweet treat.

Bred by horticulturalist J.C. Nicholls in 1941, there aren’t many peonies out there that can even compare.

‘Pastel Splendor’ demands that you take a moment to truly enjoy the flowers throughout their lifespan.

At first, the petals open as bright pink with just a hint of yellow at the center and a magenta splotch at the base.

Then, they transition to primarily pale yellow petals rimmed in a thick edge of rose pink with a magenta base. At the center of each petal is a stripe of purple with yellow carpels.

Finally, the petals fade to nearly white with a pink-red flare at the base.

A midseason Itoh, it was developed in 1996 by Wisconsin breeders Roger F. Anderson and William “Bill” Seidl from ‘Martha W.’ and ‘Saunders F2.’

The 30-inch tall plant can produce an astounding number of flowers. We’re talking up to 70 blooms.

Find bare roots at Nature Hills Nursery and enjoy the show.

Pêcher is a French word that describes the velvety skin of a peach, and it captures the look of the petals on this cultivar perfectly.

A rose-type with semi-double, ruffled blossoms, ‘Pecher’ has blush, peachy, and shell pink flowers with fuchsia highlights on the tips of the center petals.

It also has a strong, classic peony fragrance. The late-season shrub grows up to three feet tall with strong stems that can support the five-inch blossoms.

Capture ‘Pecher,’ also known as ‘Fleur de Pecher,’ at Nature Hills Nursery.

It’s all in the name. This is a lovely pink option that you’ll fall passionately in love with.

The fragrant six-inch raspberry pink blossoms look like someone turned up the saturation on them. The semi-double flowers last almost a week on the plant.

A midseason Itoh, the toothed foliage on the 24-inch tall plant adds something special to the yard even when the flowers aren’t around.

You can find ‘Pink Ardour’ available at Nature Hills Nursery.

Hot pink peony with yellow center

FAQ

What are the pink peonies with yellow stamens?

Paeonia ‘Roselette’ (Peony)

One of the first Hybrid Peonies to bloom, award-winner ‘Roselette’ produces beautiful blush pink single flowers. Cup-shaped, the large petals surround a center filled with bright golden-yellow stamens. Borne on sturdy and erect stems, the fragrant flowers do not need staking.

Do peonies have a yellow center?

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What is the rarest color of peony?

These popular plantings flower in a rainbow of hues—every color, that is, but blue. Purple is the most rare peony color.

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.

What is a pink peony?

This variety is a cupped peony with large pink petals and golden yellow center stamens. ‘Pink Dawn’ is a simple pink peony. This bowl-type peony features large rosy, pink petals that open up and reveal golden yellow stamen in the center. It’s an old-fashioned sweet little peony to add to a cottage garden.

What does a ‘Pink Dawn’ peony look like?

Peony ‘Pink Dawn’ produces large, bright pink, single flowers with white overtones and a glowing center of golden-yellow stamens. The flowers fade in bright sunshine but retain their pink color in shaded areas.

What color is a peony?

It’s the classic color that most of us picture when we imagine the perfect peony. It’s the ideal color choice to highlight those elegant blossoms and evoke a sense of romance. But pink isn’t just for adding sweetness to the flower garden. There is such a huge range of hues, from deep raspberry to salmon to shell pink.

What does a heavenly pink peony look like?

At the heart of each petal is a flare of maroon and the center of the plant features bright yellow stamens. Their pretty cupped form is only part of their charm. The blooms also have a dreamy sweet fragrance. Many tree peonies can grow seven feet tall or more, but ‘Heavenly Pink’ keeps it close to the ground.

What is the best pink peony?

Sarah Bernhardt peony is THE top pink peony in gardens and flower arrangements. Sarah Bernhardt peonies are a classic soft pink color with a classic fluffy, full double peony shape. Blooms often reach 7″-8″ wide on this type of pink peony and have a beautiful floral scent. The plant’s foliage is a medium green color.

What is a double pink peony?

‘Double Pink’ peonies are similar to Sarah Bernhardt peonies. They have huge double blossoms of ruffled light pink petals. The outer guard petals are even more pronounced in this peony, making them a sturdy bowl-shaped flower. These large flowers will require staking. This variety is a small peony with large coral flowers.

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