Karl Rosenfield

Family: Paeoniaceae Perennial flowering plant

Velvety petals unfurl in opulent layers, catching the light like satin—Karl Rosenfield is a Garden Peony that blooms with a slow, luxurious grandeur.

Expect a rich, romantic flower presence with a lush, full texture and a captivating, heady fragrance that makes the garden feel instantly composed. Karl Rosenfield shines as a showpiece perennial for borders and cut-flower displays, delivering long-lasting color and undeniable garden drama year after year.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 365 DaysHabit: Clumping

Botanical illustration of Karl Rosenfield

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Growing note: Zone 6b has only 174 frost-free days — shorter than this crop's 365-day maturity. Outdoor planting is not viable; use protected cultivation.

Milestone	Date
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Growing Approach	Protected Environment Only

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	365
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Clumping
Support Needed	Cage
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	68
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease or pest issue for Paeonia lactiflora (peony), and how do I address it?

Peonies are prone to Botrytis blight (gray mold), especially in cool, wet weather—buds and stems turn brown and mushy. Remove affected plant parts immediately, improve airflow by spacing plants, and water at the soil level (not on leaves). For prevention in the same season, clean up fallen debris and avoid excess nitrogen that drives tender, mold-prone growth.

How often should I water Paeonia lactiflora during the main growing season?

During active growth, keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged—aim for watering whenever the top 1–2 inches of soil dry out. In full sun, this often means about once per week, but adjust based on heat and rainfall. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, because peonies form storage roots and suffer when they’re repeatedly allowed to dry out completely or stay soggy.

How can I tell when Paeonia lactiflora is ready to harvest for cut flowers?

Harvest when the buds are firm and showing color but haven’t opened fully—typically when the petals are just starting to loosen at the tip. Cut early in the morning with clean snips, and remove fewer stems so plants still have enough foliage to rebuild food reserves. With peonies, timing matters more than days to maturity, so check flower stage daily once buds begin to swell.

Karl Rosenfield

Planting Schedule

Crop Dates

Crop Details

Frequently Asked Questions