Paeonia

( pee - OH - nee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Peony, this genus of flowering perennials and deciduous shrubs grows beautiful flowers that are often used in fresh arrangements. They need afternoon shade in areas that are warm, and regular water to flower and perform well. Most garden Peonies are hybrids, and are long-lived plants of impressive size and looks. Flowers range widely in color, makeup, and size, and most plants reach between one and three feet tall (though some more shrubby types will reach up to 11 feet). Use Peonies as specimen plants, in containers, or in shaded garden areas. Take care when planting these beauties in the landscape, as they are toxic to humans and their pets.

Paeonia Species and Varietals

The genus Paeonia is a member of the plant family Paeoniaceae and includes around 33 species of plants and shrubs.The best growing zones for Peony vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Paeonia algeriensis (Algerian Peony)
These plants naturally grow in the coastal mountain ranges of Algeria. The species produces solitary flowers with pink to magenta petals. Individual plants typically reach a little over a foot and a half tall when mature, and have green foliage.

Paeonia anomala (Anomalous Peony, Common Peony)
These perennials reach between 1.6 and 3.2 feet tall when mature and in bloom, and have deeply cut leaves. Flowers appear in the beginning of summertime, and are magenta-red (rarely pink or white). These plants are native to Russia and Mongolia. Some varieties of this species have double blooms.

Paeonia brownii (Brown's Peony, Native Peony, Western Peony)
This species is native to the western United States, where it typically grows in understory environments. Foliage is steel-grey to greenish and flowers are drooping and green to maroon. Plants reach between 10 and 16 inches tall when in bloom.

Paeonia californica (California Peony, Wild Peony)
This species is endemic to southwestern California and northern Baja California, Mexico. These plants reach between 14 and 28 inches tall when mature and in bloom. Foliage is deeply lobed, and flowers are drooping and dark maroon to purple with almost black flushing towards outer petal bases. These are great drought-tolerant, native California plants that are typically used in California and Xeriscape landscapes.

Paeonia cambessedesii (Balearic Peony, Majorcan Peony)
This species is endemic to the Balearic Islands and Majorca. These plants form clumps of foliage with reddish-purple undersides. Upper surfaces of leaves are metallic blue-green. Stalks emerge from the soil in February, and flowers bloom in March or May in the plant's native range. Flowers are pink.

Paeonia clusii (Rhodes' Peony)
These plants produce scented white to pinkish flowers that are up to 5 inches in diameter when fully opened. Flowers are held singly at the end of stems. Foliage is green and stems are reddish-brown. Rhodes' Peonies are relatively low-growing plants, reaching just 10-20 inches tall when mature. These Mediterranean natives are drought-tolerant, and do not like to have wet feet. The species was named for Dutch botanist Carolus Clusius.

Paeonia coriacea (Andalusian Peony)
These flowering plants are native to Spain and Morocco, where they grow in woodland habitats in mountain ranges. Plants range in height from 16 to 36 inches tall when mature and in bloom. Stems range in color from green to purple, and hold solitary blooms. Flowers are pink and have yellow central anthers. Foliage is green.

Paeonia corsica (Corsican Peony, Pivoine de Corse, Peonia Corsa)
These plants are native to the islands of Corsica and Sardinia in western Greece, and have purple-green stems. Leaves are green and can either be hairy or smooth on their undersides. Flowers are pink with yellow centers, and bloom atop erect flowering stems. It is a relatively low-growing Peony species, reaching These plants are fantastic for rock gardens.

Paeonia daurica (Crimean Peony)
These plants produce slender fleshy roots, and green foliage. Flowers are typically pink, but can also be yellow, white, or red. There are some very pretty subspecies of Paeonia daurica with varying foliage colors and flower compositions. These plants are native to the Middle East, and is commonly cultivated as a garden ornamental.

Paeonia decomposita (Tree Peony)
This little-known, endangered species is native to the northwestern Sichuan region in China. These tree peonies grow up to 6 feet tall and produce dark grey bark that peels and flakes. Flowers are produced singly at the end of stems, and are typically pink with yellow centers. Flowering occurs from April to May in the plant's native range. These trees prefer to grow in the understory environment of young forest land.

Paeonia delavayi (Delavay's Tree Peony, Delavay Peony, Dian Peony, Dian Mu Dan)
These plants produce low, woody shrubs and are endemic to China. Flowers are reddish-brown to yellow and bloom from the middle of May through June. Light green leaves are delicate and deciduous. Plants reach a little under six feet tall when mature.

Paeonia emodi (Mamekhor, Mamekh, Ood-e-Saleeb, Ood Salap, Himalayan Peony, Multi-Flower Peony)
Plants reach between 24 and 60 inches tall when in bloom, and produce white flowers with yellow centers. Variety 'White Innocence' reaches about 60 inches tall and produces shabbier flower petals than the species with light yellow centers.

Paeonia spp. Hybrids (Hybrid Peony)
This group of Peony flowers are hybrids between various cultivars and species in the genus.

'All That Jazz Itoh'

'Alertie'

'Apricot Whisper'

'Bartzella'

'Bride's Dream'

'Buckeye Belle'

'Candy Stripe'

'Catharina Fontijn'

'Celebrity'

'Cherry Hill'

'Coral Charm'

'Cora Louise Itoh'

'Dayton'

'Doreen'

'Etched Salmon'

'Garden Treasure Itoh'

'Gay Paree'

'Green Lotus'

'Jan Van Leeuwen'

'Julia Rose'

'Kopper Kettle Itoh'

'Lemon Chiffon'

'Lemon Dream Itoh'

'Lois' Choice'

'Lollipop Itoh'

'Mister Ed'

'Morning Kiss'

'Morning Lilac Itoh'

'Old Rose Dandy'

'Pink Hawaiian Coral'

'Prairie Charm'

'Princess Bride'

'Red Charm'

'Red Grace'

'Scarlet Heaven'

'Scarlet O'Hara'

'Sonoma Halo Itoh'

'Sorbet'

'Sunny Girl'

'Touch of Class'

'Whopper'

Paeonia lactiflora (Paeonia albiflora) (Common Garden Peony, Chinese Peony, Chinese Herbaceous Peony)
These flowering beauties are native to central and eastern Asia and reach between 20-28 inches tall and just as wide. The blooms appear in late spring, and are large and round. Blooms are fragrant and have white, pink, or crimson petals. The specific epithet lactiflora means 'with milk-white flowers'. Commonly grown ornamental cultivars of this species include:

'Avalanche'

'Black Beauty'

'Bowl of Beauty'

'Bowl of Cream'

'Bridal Shower'

'Chocolate Soldier'

'Class Act'

'Coral Charm'

'Coral Sunset'

'Diana Parks'

'Do Tell'

'Duchesse de Nemours'

'Edulis Superba'

'Felix Crousse'

'Festiva Maxima'

'Francoise Ortegat'

'Goldilocks'

'Green Halo'

'Honey Gold'

'Joker'

'Kansas'

'Karl Rosenfield'

'Krinkled White'

'Laura Dessert'

'Lillian Wild'

'Miss America'

'Monsieur Jules Elie'

'Old Faithful'

'Pillow Talk'

'Raspberry Sundae'

'Red Sarah Bernhardt'

'Sarah Bernhardt'

'Shirley Temple'

'Solange'

'White Cap'

'Whitleyi Major'

Paeonia obovata (Woodland Peony)
These plants are native to China, Korea, Japan, and Russia. They produce white, pink, or purplish-red flowers and have green foliage. These plants reach between 12 and 28 inches tall when in bloom, and die back to the ground in fall, overwintering under the soil surface.

Paeonia officinalis (Common Peony, Garden Peony)
These plants are native to southern Europe and have been introduced to many other areas of the globe, including central and western Europe and North America. Plants reach between 24 and 28 inches tall when mature and in bloom, and foliage is green. Flowers are deep pink to red, and bloom in late springtime. Cultivar 'Rubra Plena' is a fantastic garden ornamental variety.

Paeonia parnassica (Paeonia mascula) (Greek Peony)
These plants are considered to be endangered, and are native to the mountainous areas of south-central Greece. Flowers bloom in late springtime, and are deep maroon to dark reddish-purple. Flowering stems reach up to 26 inches tall. Foliage is green.

Paeonia Qiui (Qiu's Peony)
These plants reach about 4 feet tall when mature, and have deeply divided foliage. Leaves are often purple or green. Flowers are with a red blotch at petal bases and bloom early in the season. Takes some time to establish in the landscape.

Paeonia rockii (Rock's Peony, Rock's Tree Peony)
This species is a woody group of tree peony named for Austrian botanist Joseph Rock. These plants are native to China, and are cultivated as ornamentals in Asia and the West. In their native range, these plants are considered medicinal. Cultivars include 'Black Swan' (with scarlet blooms), and 'Glory of the Sun and Moon' (with white petals that have pink centers and dark markings at their base).

Paeonia suffruticosa (Paeonia x suffruticosa) (Tree Peony, Moutan Peony)
These deciduous woody shrubs reach between 3 and 5 feet tall at maturity, with a 4 foot wide spread. There are many choice garden varieties, bred for their flower color and disease resistances. Cultivars are listed below:

'Cardinal Vaughan'

'Hanakisoi'

'High Noon'

'Jitsu Getsu Nishiki'

'Shimadaijin'

'Shima-Nishiki'

Paeonia tenuifolia (Steppe Peony, Fern Leaf Peony)
These plants produce very finely divided, almost thread-like leaves and are native to the Caucasus Mountains. Individual plants reach between 12 and 24 inches tall when mature and in bloom, and scented flowers have numerous yellow stamens. These plants flower earlier than other species in the genus, and die back earlier in the year, as well. Plants prefer hot, dry summers and are considered hardy. These are attractive plants for gardens, prized for their interesting foliage.

Paeonia turcica (Turkish Peony, Bear Rose)
These plants are native to Turkey, and produce flowers in late springtime to early summertime. Flowering stems reach up to 26 inches tall when in bloom, and hold solitary deep maroon flowers up to 5 inches in diameter. These plants are typically found growing in mountainous regions and have been used historically in traditional medicine practices. Foliage emerges reddish and matures to deep green.

Caring for Paeonia

Peonies can be purchased as potted plants or as bare roots from reputable nurseries. If you have purchased a bare root Peony, start by soaking the root in lukewarm water for up to 4 hours. This will give it a head-start at growth, and they tend to establish better in the soil after this treatment. Space plants about 3 feet apart in the garden (spacing depends on the mature width of the cultivar - check plant information before installing. Plant bare roots so that the eyes (growing points) are pointed upwards and situated about an inch under the soil surface. If planting a nursery-grown specimen, look for a healthy plant without leaf spots or weak stems. The best time of the year to plant a Peony is in late summer or fall, ideally six weeks before the ground freezes in your area.

Choose a space in the garden that is a bit sheltered, either by structures or larger plants. The large blooms and tall stems of most Peony cultivars can tend to flop over during heavy rains and high winds. They should not be planted close to other trees and shrubs, as they do not like to compete with other plants for nutrients or water. Ensure that your Peony is situated in an area that gets full sun during the day. Ideally, these flowers should be getting between 6 and 8 hours of sun every day for best performance. When grown in too much shade, blooms will be smaller and fewer, and plants can be more susceptible to developing fungal diseases. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.5 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. After planting, lay down a thick layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system. At maturity, Peonies prefer consistently moist soils and are not drought-resistant. As a general rule of thumb, irrigate whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. To prune your peony, simply cut back dead stems and branches once blooms have faded. If you will be propagating your flowers using harvested seeds, make sure to leave some faded flowers alone to develop into seed heads. Peonies will need dividing every four to ten years; those grown in crowded beds or containers may need more frequent divisions. A good indicator that a Peony shrub needs dividing is loss of vigor or flowering. Container-grown Peonies will become root-bound if not divided regularly. For instructions on how to divide Peonies, see the Propagation section below. If cared for properly, Peonies can last for decades in the garden with relatively minimal effort.

Growing Paeonia in Containers
Peonies can be grown either in the ground or in containers. They tend to perform better when in the ground, but if grown in a large enough container, can perform well for a few years before needing dividing. Dwarf varieties of Peony typically do best in container gardens. Choose a pot that is at least 18 inches wide and deep and fill it with well-draining, fertile substrate with plenty of organic material. A potting mix intended for Azaleas or Rhododendrons amended with compost or organic material is a good choice. Mulch over the top of the soil to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention. Place the container-grown Peony in full sun. Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist; do not allow soil to dry out completely. Peonies grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation that those grown in the ground. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage and remove spent flowering stalks to their base. After foliage dies back, cut the whole plant back and allow the pot to overwinter in a garage or sheltered patio area. Peonies grown in containers will need to be divided every three to four years to avoid plants becoming root-bound. For instructions on how to successfully divide Peony plants, see the Propagation section below.

Harvesting Peony Cut Flowers
Peonies are classic flowers for fresh arrangements and bouquets, with their beautiful, compound, colorful blooms and sweet scent. They are typically harvested as cut flowers between the months of April and June, and depending on the cultivar, plants be considered early, mid- or late season varieties (though sometimes depending on the weather, these labels are not entirely accurate). When growing Peonies as cut flowers, there are a few care tips to follow in order to get the best blooms. Staking plants is recommended, as flowers are typically heavy, and stems tend to flop over when they are in bloom. For cut flower harvesting purposes, in the first few years in the ground, remove all flower buds when they emerge. New plants should have their flowers snipped off for the first three or four years to send all energy into establishing themselves in their new home. Once mature, these plants are typically better able to support bigger blooms and experience a longer harvesting season.

Blooms are best harvested when they have just opened up. If harvesting peonies early (for a special event, for example), cut them when the buds are more closed, but have the give of a marshmallow when squeezed. Harvest a day after the plant has been irrigated, in the morning or evening hours. Snip the entire flowering stem off of the plant at the base using clean, sharpened shears. Leave two sets of leaves on each stalk for added effect. Keep cut flowers hydrated at all times by dropping them into a bucket of cool water immediately after they are severed. Flowers bloom on the plant for between 7 and 10 days, and typically last in a vase for between 5 and 7 days.

Propagation

Paeonia, or Peony, plants can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant and that Peony plants grown from seed typically take between 3 and 5 years to begin blooming. To propagate your Peony, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Paeonia by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
Harvest your seeds in summer or fall. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once seeds are out of their pods, sort out any red seeds, as they will not be viable.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Peony seeds can also be direct-sown in the garden, but will need some extra protection to survive extremes in temperatures. Germination usually takes 4-12 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Paeonia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in fall (after the plant has entered dormancy), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance, especially if your Peonies are grown in containers. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Cut the foliage down to ground level.
Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root clump. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out. Knock off any dirt, and then rinse with the garden hose.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least three to five eyes (small reddish buds that resemble Potato eyes).
Cut away all smaller roots extending from each division. Leave only large, fleshy roots on the clump.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over your new Peony to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

Paeonia seed pods develop after flowers have faded, and hold many seeds.

Paeonia seeds are irregularly shaped, shiny, and dark brown to black in color.

Problems and Pests

Peonies are susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape:

Scale Insects
Bulb Mites
Mealybugs
Thrips
Root and Crown Rot
Crown Gall
Powdery Mildew
Leaf Blotch
Verticillium Wilt
Peony Ringspot Virus
Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus

For more information on these pests and diseases, including how to treat and eradicate them, consult the following pages:

Pests & Pest Management

Plant Issues

Gallery

Peonies are classic mixed bed flowers.

Peonies are frequently grown as members of cut flower gardens.

When cultivated as cut flowers, Peonies are netted to assist blooms in remaining upright.

This bridal bouquet features Peonies, Hypericum berries, Eucalyptus foliage, Chamomile, Scabiosa, Tuberose, and Poppy.

Ponies are planted alongside purple Salvia in this mixed planter.

Peonies do well when planted amongst foliage plants like Abelia or Japanese Maple, which provide interest during dormancy.

Purple Ornamental Onion contrasts well against the pure white blooms of this Peony.

This English garden bed features various Peony and Rose cultivars.

The branches of a weeping evergreen conifer provide a nice background for Peony flowers.

This front entryway features Roses and Peonies.

Peonies are at home in many garden styles, including Woodland.

Peonies, Hostas, Geranium, and yellow Evening Primrose fill this foundation bed with foliage and blooms.

Videos

Everything you need to know about growing Peony flowers.

Tips and tricks for growing great cut Peony flowers.

A Garden Answer episode all about Tree Peony.

How to care for Peonies in the fall season.

Resources

7 Expert Tips for Harvesting Peonies for Picture-Perfect Bouquets

How to Grow and Care for Peonies

UCIPM: Peony (Paeonia spp.)

Peony: How to Grow and Care with Success

Wikipedia: Peony

The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 469 - 470, Paeonia (Peony)

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