Lollipop Peony

Overview

The ‘Lollipop’ Peony (Paeonia lactiflora ‘Lollipop’) is a herbaceous perennial peony known for its delightfully bicolor blooms — soft creamy-yellow petals brushed and streaked with raspberry-pink. No two blooms are exactly the same, giving the plant a hand-painted, whimsical look that lives up to its playful name. Compact, hardy, and early to mid-season blooming, it's a perfect fit for cool-climate perennial borders and cut flower gardens.

Key Characteristics

• Botanical Name: Paeonia lactiflora ‘Lollipop’

• Common Name: Lollipop Peony

• Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial

• Peony Type: Single to semi-double

• Hardiness Zones: 3–8

• Height: 24–30 inches (60–75 cm)

• Spread: 24–30 inches (60–75 cm)

• Bloom Time: Early to mid-season (typically early to mid-June in Zone 3)

• Flower Color: Creamy yellow petals streaked with raspberry or rose pink

• Fragrance: Lightly scented

• Foliage: Glossy deep green, upright and compact

Sun Requirements

• Prefers full sun (6–8 hours/day)

• Can tolerate light shade, though fewer blooms may result

Soil Needs

• Well-drained, fertile loam is ideal

• Amend heavy soils with compost before planting

• Avoid wet areas or waterlogged soil — peonies dislike “wet feet”

• pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline (6.5–7.5)

Watering Needs

• Keep soil consistently moist in spring and early summer

• Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings

• Reduce watering after flowering when foliage matures

Planting & Spacing

• Plant in fall (September is best for Zone 3), or early spring from containers

• Plant eyes 1–2 inches below soil surface

  • Planting too deep = poor blooming

• Space 24–30 inches apart to allow airflow and growth

Maintenance

• Deadhead spent flowers to tidy up

• Let foliage remain until it naturally yellows in fall — this feeds the roots

• Cut back to the ground in late fall and remove debris

• Apply mulch after the ground freezes in Zone 3 to protect roots from freeze-thaw cycles

Fertilizing

• Apply a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) in early spring as growth appears

• Top-dress with compost or aged manure each spring

• Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen

Pests & Diseases

• Very low-maintenance

• Occasionally affected by:

  • Botrytis blight in cool, wet conditions — improve air circulation

  • Aphids or thrips on new growth

• Clean up foliage in fall to prevent overwintering disease

Wildlife & Companion Benefits

• Pollinator-friendly — bees love the open flowers

• Ants on buds are normal and harmless

• Deer and rabbit resistant

• Good companions:

  • Lupines

  • Catmint (Nepeta)

  • Iris

  • Allium

  • Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis)

Garden Uses

• Front of perennial borders

• Cottage gardens

• Pollinator patches

• Children’s or whimsical garden themes

• Great for cut flowers — fun color variation in bouquets

Special Notes

• Compact growth makes ‘Lollipop’ perfect for small spaces or containers (in deep pots)

• Its unique coloration makes it a conversation piece and ideal for feature displays

• Beautiful in mixed peony beds for a splash of unexpected color