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 following Peony species are divided into categories, depending on their individual characteristics. 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. It produces solitary flowers with pink to magenta petals. They typically reach a little over a foot and a half tall when mature, and have green foliage.

Paeonia anomala
​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 native 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
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 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:
Bowl of Beauty
With double pink-cream flowers.
Coral Charm
With salmon-pink blooms.
Duchesse de Nemours
Double white blooms.
Felix Crousse
These plants have double deep pink blooms.
Festiva Maxima
With double white flowers
Laura Dessert
Also with double white blooms.
Miss America
With cup-shaped white blooms.
Monsieur Jules Elie
​With double-pink blooms.
Sarah Bernhardt
Double pink flowers.
Whitleyi Major
With single white flowers that have prominent stamens.

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. 

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.

Paeonia rockii (Rock's 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. 

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. 

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

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Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

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A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Peony
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 000 - 000, Name
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