I have not seen either of these cultivars in person and would like to choose one for my garden. Alas, I just don't have space for two white rose-form doubles!

I like that Elsa Sass is late as I have more early and mid-season bloomers than late. A lot of people seem to favor White Frost though...

I like that they are both fragrant. They both sound like they are floriferous and have good foliage.

What are your thoughts? Which do you think makes a more beautiful plant in the landscape? What aspect would make you choose one over the other?
Looking forward to hearing from you!

I don't know what the peony's you named look like , not sure how to answer your question.
My favorite long term white peony been in my garden for years is pictured below.

Elsa Sass tended to ball here in southeast Ohio, which is typical of some later doubles. I like White Frost a lot; it is very floriferous and sturdy.

I and the same issue with Elsa Sass in my CO garden—balling like mantis stated. If your garden tends to heat up quickly toward late spring I don't know if you'll get any kind of show out of it. The only late double whites I had luck with are the Lins ones, forget which ones were white though. I'm sure they were named after his daughters.
White Frost was more of a mid season for me, no idea yet what it'll be in AL!

Looked it up, Marcella was the Lins that bloomed late that was really pretty. Confetti is pretty amazing too if you can find it, think Brooks I'd the only place I've seen it commercially. Mine has t bloomed yet but the pics I've seen have been amazing!

with Mantis. I grow both and they perform for me exactly as Mantis described above. White Frost is a better plant for the landscape; however, Elsa Sass's form is superior when the weather is right.

Thank you all for sharing your experience! I think I'll go with White Frost. I'm in zone 2b/3a so probably will not be as hot as you experience when ES is blooming, but our springs can definitely heat up quickly so that may still be an issue.
Everything I've been reading has pointed to White Frost being probably the better option (unless I'm really set on the later blooms of ES) and also more fragrant.

At least from pictures, I do find Elsa Sass to have the more luscious bloom, but...the bloom isn't all there is to the decision!

If you have the time to baby it you could try one of the decorative umbrellas on the afternoon sun side of Elsa to get her to bloom time unscathed. I agree that the bloom looks fantastic when the weather cooperates enough to get to that point. It's a lot of work though!

PrairieGirl_11 said: Thank you all for sharing your experience! I think I'll go with White Frost. I'm in zone 2b/3a so probably will not be as hot as you experience when ES is blooming, but our springs can definitely heat up quickly so that may still be an issue.
Everything I've been reading has pointed to White Frost being probably the better option (unless I'm really set on the later blooms of ES) and also more fragrant.

At least from pictures, I do find Elsa Sass to have the more luscious bloom, but...the bloom isn't all there is to the decision!

I don't grow these peonies but I know that ES is commercially grown here in Alaska.

Your climate is much different, so Elsa may do well for you. White Frost is indeed midseason and a very good plant. I don't recall how fragrant it is.
2023--not the best year for it

2019

mantisOH said: Your climate is much different, so Elsa may do well for you. White Frost is indeed midseason and a very good plant. I don't recall how fragrant it is.
2023--not the best year for it

• Peony (Paeonia 'White Frost')
• Uploaded by mantisOH

2019

• Peony (Paeonia 'White Frost')
• Uploaded by mantisOH

THose are awesome bushes, Mantis!

PrairieGirl, don't think you can go wrong with your choice of White Frost.

I personally prefer white frost over Elsa Sass, but Elsa Sass is a great choice if you don't have any late season bloomer. I have white frost planted along the driveway that receives full sun and Elsa sass near the house that receives morning sun. I generally only get one or two blooms that ball up from Elsa sass towards the end of the season. It's fairly prolific, but the weak neck requires a lot of staking for me and the fade is unattractive. As for white frost, I can't seem to get it to develop more than 3-4 blooms per season, but every single bloom comes out picture perfect and quite large. I only need to stake white frost when it rains or during high wind. The fade is also nice, it turns into a creamy yellow before fall off.