The largest blooms in my garden definitely belong to Sarah Bernhardt, but they are not the same size. The peony in the pic is supported by a cage, but the blooms are still too heavy... In the vase now...

I have another Sarah in a less desirable location with poorer soil, and her blooms are smaller.

This was sold as moonstone but was mislabeled. I think it might be Miss America based on a gardenweb thread. I also purchased from van engelen.

For me, Henry Bockstoce is huge. Dinner Plate is another though I don't grow this peony. Bloom size also depends on the weather, fertilizer and soil.

Iowa Blooms,

Yes, looks like my 'Miss America" - though yours are far lovelier! How old are yours?

Mine is in a horrible spot- full-shade, directly at the base of a mature river birch, but I couldn't resist since it's right on the pathway to the front door.

1st bloom (the largest) was HUGE this year ~7":

And of course the side blooms (recently opened) are smaller, as to be expected, but just as lovely:

I purchased/planted these peonies fall 2010. I moved them to this location fall 2012. They get better every year! My peonies all seem exceptionally robust this year although one mysteriously died. Maybe voles :( lots of them in my yard.

i do have a few peonies in spots that have grown shadier as my trees get larger. Noticeable fewer blooms on some of them. Still lovely though.

Is that other peony celebrity? Van engelen sells that variety (unless they send wrong one!) and I’ve been thinking of ordering it. Now I kind of want moonshine too though. :). I need more room for peonies. Funny van engelen doesn’t even offer Miss America. I also got what I believe to be Buckeye Belle from them which they do not sell either.

Iowa,

Good call - yes, it is a Celebrity - from Michigan bulb.

I’ve been looking for Miss America but have only found it for the $22-27 range, so am holding off ordering it to combine in a bigger order either this fall or the next (went a bit crazier than normal this season)....

KarenPA,

I ordered Dinner Plate last October, but no blooms this year. Will let you know how it looks next season.

Ah nice. They can be slow to get started but I am so glad I planted the peonies I have. They were some of the first plants I bought when we moved here.

Van Engelen does have good prices. I am considering 3 Bartzellas from them for $32.50. Not sure where I would put three of them lol but I have been wanting to try an intersectional or tree peony for a while now. Just they are always so much $$$.

Coral sunset also on my list. :D