Complete Guide to Peony Varieties
Peonies are among the most beloved perennial flowers, known for their spectacular blooms, intoxicating fragrance, and remarkable longevity. These stunning plants can grace gardens for decades, even generations, making them a worthwhile investment for any gardener. This Just Bloom HK guide explores the major peony varieties, their characteristics, and growing requirements.
Types of Peonies
Herbaceous Peonies
Herbaceous peonies are the most common type, dying back to the ground each winter and emerging fresh each spring. They typically bloom in late spring to early summer and are extremely hardy in cold climates.
Key Characteristics:
Height: 2-4 feet
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
Lifespan: 50+ years with proper care
Tree Peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa)
Tree peonies are actually shrubs with woody stems that persist year-round. They bloom earlier than herbaceous varieties and produce some of the largest, most spectacular flowers in the peony world.
Key Characteristics:
Height: 3-6 feet
Bloom time: Mid to late spring
Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Growth: Slow-growing woody shrub
Intersectional Peonies (Itoh Hybrids)
These are crosses between herbaceous and tree peonies, combining the best traits of both. They have the woody stems of tree peonies but die back like herbaceous varieties, while producing abundant blooms.
Key Characteristics:
Height: 2-3 feet
Bloom time: Extended season
Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Flowers: Large, often fragrant
Popular Herbaceous Peony Varieties
Early Season Bloomers
'Claire de Lune'
Flower type: Single
Color: Pale yellow with golden centers
Size: 4-5 inches
Fragrance: Light, sweet
Notable features: One of the best yellow peonies
'Coral Charm'
Flower type: Semi-double
Color: Coral-pink fading to cream
Size: 6-7 inches
Fragrance: Mild
Notable features: Award-winning variety, excellent cut flower
'Early Scout'
Flower type: Single
Color: Deep red
Size: 4-5 inches
Fragrance: None
Notable features: Very early bloomer, good for hot climates
Midseason Bloomers
'Sarah Bernhardt'
Flower type: Double
Color: Soft pink
Size: 8 inches
Fragrance: Strong, sweet
Notable features: Classic variety, excellent cut flower, widely available
'Festiva Maxima'
Flower type: Double
Color: Pure white with red flecks
Size: 6-8 inches
Fragrance: Strong, sweet
Notable features: Heirloom variety (1851), reliable bloomer
'Karl Rosenfield'
Flower type: Double
Color: Deep crimson-red
Size: 6-7 inches
Fragrance: Mild
Notable features: Classic red peony, very reliable
'Duchesse de Nemours'
Flower type: Double
Color: Pure white with yellow center
Size: 6-7 inches
Fragrance: Strong, sweet
Notable features: Heirloom variety (1856), compact plant
Late Season Bloomers
'Pink Hawaiian Coral'
Flower type: Semi-double
Color: Coral-pink
Size: 6-7 inches
Fragrance: Light
Notable features: Extends bloom season, sturdy stems
'Bowl of Beauty'
Flower type: Japanese/Anemone
Color: Pink petals with cream center
Size: 6-8 inches
Fragrance: Mild, sweet
Notable features: Unique flower form, long-lasting
'White Cap'
Flower type: Japanese
Color: Deep red with white center
Size: 5-6 inches
Fragrance: Light
Notable features: Striking contrast, good cut flower
Tree Peony Varieties
Chinese Tree Peonies
'Luo Yang Hong' (Luoyang Red)
Color: Deep red
Size: 8-10 inches
Notable features: Traditional Chinese variety, extremely hardy
'Feng Dan Bai' (Phoenix White)
Color: Pure white
Size: 8-9 inches
Notable features: Vigorous grower, seed parent for many hybrids
'Zhao Fen' (Zhao Pink)
Color: Bright pink
Size: 7-8 inches
Notable features: Reliable bloomer, good for beginners
Japanese Tree Peonies
'Shimane Hakugan'
Color: Pure white with dark flares
Size: 8-10 inches
Notable features: Semi-double form, elegant appearance
'Renkaku' (Flight of Cranes)
Color: White with yellow base
Size: 6-8 inches
Notable features: Single form, very graceful
Intersectional (Itoh) Peony Varieties
'Bartzella'
Color: Bright yellow
Size: 6-8 inches
Fragrance: Light citrus
Notable features: Multiple blooms per stem, long bloom period
'Julia Rose'
Color: Yellow with red edges, aging to red
Size: 6-7 inches
Fragrance: Mild
Notable features: Color-changing blooms, compact plant
'Cora Louise'
Color: White with purple flares
Size: 6-8 inches
Fragrance: Light
Notable features: Striking color pattern, sturdy stems
'First Arrival'
Color: Lavender-pink
Size: 5-6 inches
Fragrance: Sweet
Notable features: Very early for Itoh type, prolific bloomer
Flower Forms and Classifications
Single Peonies
5-10 broad petals
Prominent yellow centers
Clean, simple appearance
Often the most fragrant
Japanese/Anemone Peonies
Single row of outer petals
Center filled with narrow, modified stamens (staminodes)
Unique two-toned appearance
Good for cut flowers
Semi-Double Peonies
Multiple rows of petals
Visible stamens in center
Fuller than singles, less dense than doubles
Good balance of form and function
Double Peonies
Multiple layers of petals
No visible stamens
Full, rounded flower heads
Most popular for cut flowers
May need staking due to heavy blooms
Bomb Peonies
Outer petals surround a dense center
Center petals are narrow and tightly packed
Distinctive rounded appearance
Subset of double peonies
Color Categories
White Peonies
Pure white varieties offer elegance and work well in moon gardens. Popular whites include 'Duchesse de Nemours', 'Festiva Maxima', and 'Mother's Choice'.
Pink Peonies
From pale blush to deep rose, pink peonies are classics. Notable varieties include 'Sarah Bernhardt', 'Pink Hawaiian Coral', and 'Bowl of Beauty'.
Red Peonies
Deep reds add drama to the garden. Excellent choices include 'Karl Rosenfield', 'Red Charm', and 'Big Red Boomer'.
Yellow Peonies
True yellow is rare in herbaceous peonies but more common in tree and Itoh varieties. 'Bartzella' is the most famous yellow Itoh hybrid.
Coral Peonies
These warm-toned varieties bridge pink and orange. 'Coral Charm' is the most celebrated coral peony.
Growing Requirements
Site Selection
Sunlight: 6+ hours of morning sun, afternoon shade in hot climates
Soil: Well-draining, fertile soil with pH 6.0-7.0
Air circulation: Good airflow prevents fungal diseases
Space: 3-4 feet apart for mature plants
Planting Guidelines
Timing: Fall planting (September-October) is ideal
Depth: Plant eyes 2 inches below soil surface
Soil preparation: Amend with compost and ensure good drainage
Watering: Deep, infrequent watering is best
Care and Maintenance
Fertilizing: Light feeding in spring with balanced fertilizer
Mulching: 2-3 inches around plants, keeping away from stems
Deadheading: Remove spent blooms to conserve energy
Fall cleanup: Cut herbaceous varieties to ground level after first frost
Support Systems
Many double peonies benefit from support due to heavy blooms:
Peony rings: Place early in season before growth begins
Individual stakes: For specific heavy stems
Grid systems: For multiple plants in a row
Common Issues and Solutions
Botrytis Blight (Gray Mold)
Symptoms: Brown spots on buds and stems, gray fuzzy growth
Prevention: Good air circulation, avoid overhead watering
Treatment: Remove affected parts, improve growing conditions
Ants on Buds
Reality: Ants don't harm peonies; they're attracted to sweet nectar
Action: None needed; ants may actually help by eating harmful insects
Note: Ants don't need to be present for buds to open
Failure to Bloom
Causes: Planted too deep, too much shade, too much nitrogen
Solutions: Ensure proper planting depth, increase sunlight, reduce fertilizer
Short Bloom Period
Reality: Individual flowers last 7-10 days
Extension: Plant early, mid, and late-season varieties
Care: Provide consistent moisture during bud development
Companion Planting
Peonies pair beautifully with:
Spring bulbs: Daffodils, tulips for early interest
Perennials: Hostas, daylilies, iris, delphinium
Annuals: Sweet alyssum, catmint for season-long color
Shrubs: Lilacs, spirea, roses (with proper spacing)
Cutting and Arranging
Best Cutting Practices
Cut early morning when stems are full of water
Choose buds showing color but not fully open
Cut stems at an angle under running water
Condition in cool water for several hours
Vase Life Extension
Recut stems every few days
Change water regularly
Remove lower leaves that would be underwater
Keep arrangements in cool locations
Historical and Cultural Significance
Peonies have been cultivated for over 2,000 years, originating in China where they're known as the "king of flowers." They symbolize honor, wealth, and good fortune in Chinese culture, while in Western traditions they represent bashfulness, compassion, and healing.
The flower is the state flower of Indiana and has been a garden favorite in Europe and North America since the 18th century. Many heirloom varieties from the 1800s are still popular today, testament to their enduring appeal and reliability.
Just Bloom Florist guide
Peonies offer gardeners an unmatched combination of beauty, fragrance, and longevity. Whether you choose classic herbaceous varieties, spectacular tree peonies, or modern Itoh hybrids, these magnificent plants will reward proper care with decades of stunning blooms. Start with a few proven varieties suited to your climate and gradually expand your collection as you gain experience with these garden treasures.
The key to success with peonies lies in choosing the right varieties for your conditions, providing proper initial planting, and then practicing patience – peonies may take 2-3 years to reach their full blooming potential, but the wait is invariably worthwhile.
