Is it just me or are my peonies blooming a paler pink each year??

Here's an enlightening (no pun intended) link that might help you:

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/peonies-wont-grow-91764.html

This may help https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/landscaping-and-hardscaping/can-peonies-change-color

Here's an interesting article. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/pink-peonies-turned-white-95565.html

If you've had them for a while they may have self-seeded. The new plants tend to bloom lighter.

You’re not crazy! The peonies my grandpa planted decades ago are all much paler. :)

Hi, Might be a change in your soil condition.

Hi Rosalie, the truth is that peony plants don't change in bloom color, but they do seed, and the seedlings often will bloom a different color. As peonies grow and expand, it's easy to confuse the parent plant with some of the new volunteers that come along.

It may not be your imagination. It may be possible that the original peony plant is not the one blooming. As peonies go to seed and then form plants, they are often not the same intense color as the parent. Is it possible that the blooms are not coming from the original plant this year?

Pale peony cultivars fade as they age after blooming. Pink peonies may start out as deep-pink buds and become lighter pink when they first open and then gradually fade to pure white within a short amount of time.

Hello. Interesting there might be some interesting discussion here

https://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/529060/#b

It is possible they are. Heat will bleach colors out. Also, if you have transplanted them they may be in distress. Drought, insects, and nutritional deficits can also cause pigment changes.

here is info to why this happens

https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/landscaping-and-hardscaping/can-peonies-change-color

I agree with Ann, as they reseed, the newer plants can be lighter.

If they are blooming in a pale color, it could be based on the acidity of the soil. You want more acidic soil for bright blue and more basic soil for bright pink. If you want a brighter pink, I'd add more basic fertilizer to increase the pH of the soil.