Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-09-04 Origin: Site
Peonies always bring timeless charm to your garden. You see over 7,000 peony varieties worldwide, each with its own style.
Colors range from soft blush to creamy white, vibrant fuchsia, and deep crimson.
Flowering peony plants show off large, fragrant blooms and lush foliage.
You can find a peony that fits your taste, whether you love classic shapes or modern hybrids. Which one will give you the showiest, most reliable blooms? Let’s discover your favorites together.
Peonies have more than 7,000 types. They show many colors and shapes. These flowers can make any garden look pretty.Pick peonies that bloom at different times. This way, you get color and nice smells from spring to summer.Look at each peony’s features. Think about the flower’s color, smell, and how much care it needs. This helps you pick the right one for your garden.Plant peonies in soil that drains water well. Make sure they get lots of sunlight. This helps them grow strong and have bright flowers.Take care of peonies often. Water them the right way. Trim them during the right season. This helps them stay healthy and make pretty flowers every year.
When you want a garden full of color and fragrance, you need to know the best types of peonies. Gardeners and horticulturists look for varieties with long-lasting blooms, strong stems, and vibrant colors. The American Peony Society even awards a "Gold Medal" to the most exceptional varieties. Here’s a quick look at what experts consider when picking the most beautiful peony varieties:
Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
Time of flowering | When the peony blooms |
Length of flowering | Duration of the blooming period |
Colour of flower through season | Variation in color throughout the season |
Balance of flower and foliage | Proportion of blooms to leaves |
Strength of stem | Robustness of the stem |
Quality of foliage | Health and appearance of leaves |
Autumn foliage colour | Color change in fall |
Attractiveness of seed-heads | Visual appeal of seed heads |
How flower dies | Aesthetic of the flower's decline |
Weather resistance | Ability to withstand adverse conditions |
You can extend your peony season by choosing varieties that bloom at different times. Take a look at this chart to see how the main types of peonies overlap throughout spring:
Let’s explore the top 10 peony varieties that will make your garden stand out.
You can’t go wrong with Sarah Bernhardt. This classic peony is famous for its large, double blooms and ruffled edges. The petals show off a soft, pale pink color with a creamy blush at the base. You’ll love the delightful scent, which makes it perfect for cut flowers and garden displays.
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Standout Features | Classic herbaceous perennial, large double blooms with ruffled edges. |
Bloom Color | Soft, pale pink petals with a subtle creamy blush at the base. |
Fragrance Profile | Delightful scent, ideal for garden displays and cut flowers. |
Sarah Bernhardt blooms in late spring, so you get a burst of color just as other flowers start to fade.
Festiva Maxima stands out with its large, silky, pure-white petals and tiny crimson flecks. You’ll notice how dependable and long-lived this variety is. It needs little care and thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. The glossy green foliage stays attractive all summer, and pests rarely bother it.
Large, pure-white blooms with crimson flecks
Reliable and easy to grow
Glossy foliage and strong stems
This peony adds elegance to any garden and works well in bouquets.
If you want something truly eye-catching, Bowl of Beauty is a top choice. The blooms have a bowl-shaped formation with vibrant fuchsia petals surrounding a light yellow center. Bees and butterflies flock to this variety, and deer tend to leave it alone. You’ll enjoy about a month of color in late spring.
Bowl-shaped blooms with fuchsia and yellow contrast
Attracts pollinators
Deer resistant and long flowering period
Bowl of Beauty brings energy and movement to your garden beds.
Coral Charm is a showstopper among peonies. The blooms open early in the season and start with a brilliant coral color. As the flowers mature, they shift to radiant peach and buff tones. You get a dynamic display that changes week by week.
Bloom Time | Color Transition |
|---|---|
Early | Deep coral-pink to radiant peach |
This variety is perfect if you want a peony that stands out and offers something different from the usual pinks and whites.
Karl Rosenfield gives you large, double blooms in a deep crimson color. The flowers are showy and fragrant, and the plant grows robustly with lush green foliage. You can plant it in full sun or partial shade, and it thrives in well-draining, fertile soil. Hardy in zones 3-8, Karl Rosenfield needs little maintenance.
Deep crimson, double blooms
Strong fragrance and robust growth
Golden foliage in fall for extra interest
Use Karl Rosenfield as a focal point in mixed borders or plant in groups for dramatic impact. The sturdy stems make it excellent for cutting gardens.
Shirley Temple brings romance to your garden. The double blooms start as soft blush pink and mature to creamy white. You’ll notice a sweet, floral scent that fills the air. This variety looks beautiful in bridal bouquets and adds a gentle touch to any landscape.
Double blooms in blush pink to creamy white
Delightfully sweet fragrance
Great for bouquets and soft garden color
Shirley Temple peonies bloom in late spring, giving you a fresh look as the season warms up.
Duchesse de Nemours is a favorite among gardeners. The creamy-white blooms have a spicy lemon scent and crown-shaped flowers that open in late May to early June. The soft, ruffled petals look stunning in bridal arrangements. This variety is long-lived and keeps its place in gardens for years.
Profuse, large white blossoms with wonderful fragrance
Perfect for cutting and floral arrangements
Introduced in 1856, known for longevity
You’ll love how Duchesse de Nemours brings elegance and fragrance to your garden.
Red Charm is bold and dramatic. The blooms are full and rounded, with a high center of fluted petals in vibrant crimson red. Strong stems hold the flowers above the foliage, which stays green all season and turns red and gold in fall.
Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
Flower Color | Stunning vibrant crimson red |
Height | Strong stems hold blooms above foliage |
Sunlight | Full sun, tolerates some shade |
Soil Preference | Rich, well-drained soil |
Red Charm blooms in late spring to early summer. You get a splash of color that lasts and looks great in arrangements.
Bartzella is an Itoh hybrid, which means you get the best of both herbaceous and tree peonies. The large, double flowers are light butter yellow with lemon yellow eyes and streaks of crimson red at the center. Each bloom can reach up to 8 inches across and has a sweet, citrusy fragrance. Bartzella is deer and rabbit-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about pests.
Large, fragrant yellow blooms with crimson streaks
Blooms in late spring
Resilient and pest-resistant
This variety is excellent for cutting and adds a sunny glow to your garden.
Bowl of Cream is all about luxury. The thick, beautifully white double blooms measure up to 250 mm across. You won’t find much fragrance, but the visual impact is stunning. The flowers are fluffy and bowl-shaped, making them a favorite for wedding arrangements and garden displays.
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Color | Thick, beautifully white |
Flower Size | 150 - 250 mm |
Fragrance | None |
Flower Shape | Double flowered |
Bowl of Cream blooms in late spring, giving you a cloud of white in your garden.
Tip: Mix early, mid, and late blooming varieties to enjoy peonies for up to six weeks. You’ll have continuous color and fragrance all season long.
You can see why these are the best types of peonies for showy, reliable blooms. Each variety brings something special, whether it’s color, fragrance, or bloom style. Try planting a mix of these beautiful peony varieties to create a garden that shines from spring into summer.
Are you looking for something different in your garden? Some types of peonies stand out with their rare colors, shapes, and textures. These unique peony varieties bring a fresh twist to your flower beds and help you create a collection of the most beautiful peonies. Let’s explore three of the most beautiful peonies that will make your garden unforgettable.
Hot Chocolate peony grabs your attention right away. The petals show off a deep, rich chocolate-red color that you rarely see in other types. You get large, semi-double blooms that look dramatic against green foliage. This peony blooms in midseason and holds its color well, even in bright sunlight. If you want beautiful peonies that offer something bold and unexpected, Hot Chocolate is a top pick. The long-lasting blooms also make great cut flowers for your home.
Pink Cameo stands out among pink types because of its special color and form. You see delicate pink shading on a white background, which gives each bloom a soft, glowing look. The flowers have a formal, neat, globular shape and feel almost leather-like, so they last longer in the garden.
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Color | Delicate pink shading on a white background |
Bloom Shape | Formal and neat globular bloom |
Substance | Leather-like, fine lasting quality |
Foliage | Healthy, glossy, medium green |
Bloom Time | Late midseason |
Height | About 30 inches tall |
You will love how Pink Cameo’s healthy foliage stays glossy all season. This peony brings elegance and charm to any garden, making it one of the most beautiful peonies you can grow.
Pillow Talk gives you beautiful blooms that look like soft powder puffs. The flowers are a gentle, pure pink and almost turn white in the center. You get strong stems that hold up the large, round blooms, which can reach up to 8 inches across.
Pillow Talk has beautiful tight, round, powder puff-like flowers of soft pure pink. It has strong stems that hold an 8-inch bloom with a strong old rose fragrance. Pillow Talk won the American Peony Society’s Gold Medal Award for 1994.
Color: Pink
Bud size: 40 - 60 mm
Flower size: 150 - 250 mm
Fragrance: None
Flowering period: Late
Flower shape: Double flowered with a rose-shaped form.
If you want long-lasting blooms with a classic look, Pillow Talk is a must-have. This peony is perfect for anyone who loves beautiful peonies with a soft, romantic feel.
Tip: Try mixing these unique peony varieties with classic types for a garden full of color, texture, and interest all season long.
When you pick flowering peony plants, you have three main types. These are herbaceous, tree, and itoh. Each type adds something special to your garden. Here’s how these peony plants are different:
Type of Peony | Characteristics | Growing Conditions |
|---|---|---|
Tree Peonies | Woody shrubs, stems stay above ground all year, huge flowers (up to 10 inches), mature height 4-7 feet | Zones 4-9, bloom in April-May, light shade during midday, plant 4-6 inches deep |
Herbaceous Peonies | Stems die back in winter, come back in spring, can last 50+ years, low maintenance | Zones 2-8, bloom in May-June, 5-6 hours of sun, plant ½” to 2” deep |
Itoh Peonies | Hybrid of herbaceous and tree peonies, die back in winter, shorter, great for borders | Zones 4-9, bloom in June, 5-6 hours of sun, plant ½” to 1½” deep |
Some flowering peony plants are better for cut flowers. These have strong stems and last a long time in a vase.
Tip: Festiva Maxima, Bartzella, and Karl Rosenfield are great for cutting. Their strong stems keep the flowers upright. You can enjoy them in a vase for up to 10 days.
Let’s look at the features of popular flowering peony plants:
Sarah Bernhardt: Herbaceous, double blooms, soft pink, strong fragrance, good for bouquets.
Festiva Maxima: Herbaceous, double white with crimson flecks, sturdy stems, long vase life.
Bartzella: Itoh, semi-double yellow blooms, citrus scent, deer-resistant, blooms late.
Coral Charm: Herbaceous, semi-double, coral to peach, mild fragrance, early bloomer.
Duchesse de Nemours: Herbaceous, double white, spicy lemon scent, classic for arrangements.
Red Charm: Herbaceous, double crimson, bold color, strong stems, late spring blooms.
Shirley Temple: Herbaceous, double blush to white, sweet scent, romantic look.
Bowl of Beauty: Herbaceous, anemone-style, fuchsia and yellow, attracts pollinators.
Karl Rosenfield: Herbaceous, double crimson, strong fragrance, reliable for cutting.
Bowl of Cream: Herbaceous, double white, fluffy blooms, little fragrance, wedding favorite.
If you want special colors, try itoh flowering peony plants like Bartzella. Itoh plants mix the best parts of tree and herbaceous peonies. They are strong, pest-resistant, and have big blooms that last a long time.
At Kingherbs, we care about healthy flowering peony plants. We make plant extracts that help your garden look its best. Our plant extracts, like white peony extract, can also help with skin care and wellness. You can trust our knowledge to help your plants grow well.
Q: Which flowering peony plants have the strongest fragrance?
A: Sarah Bernhardt and Duchesse de Nemours are known for their sweet, lasting scent. Try these if you want your garden to smell nice.
You can plant itoh, herbaceous, and tree flowering peony plants together. This gives your garden lots of color, fragrance, and style. Pick the right plants for you, and you will enjoy beautiful flowers every year.
You want your peonies to thrive, so start with the right spot. Pick a sunny location that gets 6-8 hours of sunlight each day. Peonies love deep, fertile, and well-draining soil. If your soil feels heavy, mix in compost or sand to help roots breathe. Dig a hole about 2 feet wide and deep, then create a small mound for the tuber. Space each peony plant 3-4 feet apart. This gives them room to grow and keeps air moving around the leaves. Peonies need cold winters for bud formation, so they do best in places with chilly seasons. Early to mid-season peonies often bloom best when you follow these steps.
Tip: Plant peonies with the eyes (buds) facing up, just 1-2 inches below the soil surface. Planting too deep can reduce blooms.
Watering is key to growing peonies with healthy roots and abundant flowers. Give your peony a deep drink every 7-10 days, especially during dry spells. Keep the soil moist but never soggy. When peonies first start growing, avoid heavy watering. Too much water can cause root rot. Once established, peonies handle short dry periods, but consistent moisture helps them produce excellent cut flowers. If you see leaves wilting, check the soil. Dry soil means your peony needs water.
Deep, infrequent watering supports strong roots.
Moist soil prevents drought stress and keeps blooms coming.
Avoid overhead watering to protect against powdery mildew.
Regular care keeps your peonies healthy and beautiful. In late autumn, prune the stems back to about 2 inches above the ground after the first frost. Remove fallen leaves and debris to prevent fungal infections. Dispose of all trimmed parts to stop diseases from spreading. If you notice any disease symptoms, remove affected foliage right away. Good ventilation around your peonies helps prevent problems. These steps help your peonies last for decades and make them a good cut-flower variety.
Maintenance Task | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
Prune in late autumn | Promotes growth and blooming |
Remove debris | Prevents fungal infections |
Cut stems after frost | Reduces disease risk |
Ensure ventilation | Keeps plants healthy |
Note: Peonies are excellent cut flowers and many award-winning hybrid varieties stay fresh in a vase for days. With the right care, you enjoy blooms year after year.
You want your peonies to thrive and bloom year after year. Here are five simple tips that help you grow healthy plants in almost any climate:
Pick heat-tolerant varieties if you live in a warm area. Early-blooming types like Itoh hybrids handle heat better.
Find the best spot in your garden. Morning sun and afternoon shade protect your peony from harsh sunlight.
Improve your soil before planting. Well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH keeps roots happy.
Care for your plants throughout the season. Water deeply but not too often. Fertilize in early spring and again after blooming.
Shield your peonies from summer stress. Mulch around the base and use shade cloth if temperatures soar.
Peonies can live for decades, sometimes even a century, when you give them the right care. Some plants bloom for more than 20 years. After 12 to 15 years, you might see fewer flowers, but with good maintenance, your peony will keep going strong.
Tip: Choose intersectional peonies like Bartzella if you garden in USDA zones 8 or 9. These hybrids adapt well to warmer climates and still produce stunning blooms.
Even the best gardeners run into trouble with peonies. Here are some common issues and how you can fix them:
Powdery mildew: Clean up old leaves in the fall and throw them away. Make sure your peony gets plenty of sun and air.
Leggy plants: Peonies need at least six hours of sunlight. If yours look weak, move them to a sunnier spot or trim nearby bushes.
Botrytis blight: This fungus attacks in wet weather. Remove fallen leaves and keep the area around your peony clear. Good drainage and air flow help prevent it.
Lack of sunlight: If your peonies don’t bloom well, check how much sun they get. Move them if needed.
Peonies grow best in USDA zones 3–8, but some varieties adapt to warmer places. Herbaceous types like Coral Charm and Festiva Maxima show good heat tolerance. Tree peonies and intersectional hybrids also do well in mild winters.
Note: With a little attention, you can enjoy beautiful peony blooms for many years. Healthy plants reward you with flowers season after season.
Peonies add bright colors and sweet smells to gardens. They stay pretty for a long time. You can choose from many shapes and colors. There is always a peony that matches your taste. Here are things gardeners like about peonies:
Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
Hardiness | Grows well in Zones 3-8 |
Flower Variety | Lots of shapes and colors |
Maintenance | Easy to care for |
Fragrance | Nice, sweet smell |
Longevity | Flowers come back every year |
Peonies give you something nice every season. Tell us your favorite peony or share a garden story below!
Most peonies bloom for about 7–10 days. If you plant early, mid, and late-season varieties, you can enjoy beautiful peonies in your garden for up to six weeks.
Cut peonies early in the morning when buds feel soft, like marshmallows. Place them in cool water right away. This helps your cut flowers last longer and look fresh in a vase.
Peonies are easy to grow. You just need to plant them in a sunny spot, water them during dry spells, and trim back stems in fall. Most flowering peony plants need little extra care.
Yes, you can grow peonies in large pots. Pick a deep container with drainage holes. Use rich, well-draining soil. Water when the top inch feels dry. Place your pot where it gets plenty of sun.
Peonies may not bloom if you plant them too deep, give them too little sun, or move them recently. Check the planting depth and sunlight. Sometimes, peonies need a year to settle before they flower.
