Peonies come in a huge variety that you may add to your garden.
Tree peonies, intersectional/Itoh peonies, and herbaceous peonies are the three different varieties of peony plants (modern crosses between herbaceous and tree types). From light, delicate blooms to bodacious, frilly pom-pom puffs, the flowers come in a variety of shapes. There are six different types of peony flower blooms: Single, Japanese, Anemone, Semi-Double, Bombe, and Full Double. There are many varieties of peonies with pink or white petals, but there are also ones with purple, crimson, orange, and even yellow blooms.
Let’s examine several representative cultivar variants of the intersectional/Itoh, tree, and herbaceous peony kinds. Additionally, this article lists several common peony varieties according to bloom color.
How many different types of peony exist?
Peonies have lately been reassigned to their own family, Paeoniaceae, from the Ranunculaceae family, which also includes larkspur, columbine, and buttercups. Peonies have 33 recognized species worldwide and innumerable horticultural varieties.
Peonies are tiny, woody shrubs or herbaceous perennials according to botany. Their highly divided leaves have numerous lobes and alternate along the plant’s stem. Differentiating between peony species is frequently done based on the number of lobes. Normally, peony flowers contain five to ten petals, although horticultural cultivars might have many more than that. Pink, crimson, brown, white, or yellow blooms are available. The abundance of yellow stamens in the center of the flower is a distinguishing characteristic of peonies. The blooms have both male and female reproductive organs, and when the female eggs develop into seeds, they produce an aril, which is a berry. The pomegranate seed is the aril that you are probably most familiar with.
Cultivation of Different Types of Peonies
One of the earliest known cultivated flowers is the peony, which has been taken care of by people for at least 4,000 years. The main reasons these plants have endured for so long are probably their therapeutic qualities, exquisite scents, simplicity of maintenance, and bodacious blossoms.
The four millennia that people have been cultivating these peonies have led to the discovery of magnificent mutations and hybrids that are now widespread among garden peonies. The many flower forms exhibit some of that variation. The majority of wild peony species just have “single” blooms, which have five to ten petals encircling the center. However, a dizzying variety of flower varieties have been developed by plant breeders within the peony family. Fun names for these floral forms include “semi-double,” “anemone,” “full-double,” “bomb,” and “chrysanthemum.”
Peonies can be challenging because a single plant normally only has a 1-2 week bloom period. Horticulturists bred plants with various bloom dates to compensate for this brief flowering season. Peonies with the labels “early-season,” “mid-season,” and “late-season” can be found in the nursery. These three varieties of peonies, when planted together, can fill a garden with vibrant flowers all through spring and into early summer.
What shade of peony is the rarest?
Although purple peonies are uncommon, they are still worth looking for to add to your flower bed. The Shimadaijin Tree Peony and the Morning Lilac Itoh Peony are two of the most well-known purple peony cultivars.
Which peony is the most stunning?
It is challenging to select a favorite peony. There are some instantly identifiable powerhouse names, such as Sarah Bernhardt and Kansas, that send shivers down your spine as you anticipate their time-tested beauty. However, learning about the beauty of less well-known kinds like Moonstone and Jacorma will leave you speechless and yearning of the day you can touch them in your hands once more.
Most Requested, Instantly Recognizable and Supremely Reliable
- Bernhardt, Sarah Since she is widely grown and adored all over the world, this peony probably doesn’t even require an introduction. Since 1906 (Lemoine), Sarah Bernhardt has been a beloved peony and one of the most trustworthy cut flowers available. She is dependable in the field and has a long vase life. Even after drying, this peony still works well and keeps its distinctive pink hue. Her dependability and capacity for success in a range of contexts make her a favorite among florists. The preferred pink peony of your grandmother has quite large, light to medium pink blooms that are gently scented. For the BONUS DISCOUNT CODE to use on our online store’s most popular peony, Sarah Bernhardt, keep reading!
Secondly, Duchesse de Nemours The Duchesse de Nemours, known as the “Queen of White Peonies,” provides a bloom form and smell to which all other white peonies are held in comparison. The enormous, creamy white guard petals and distinctive aroma, which is reminiscent of excellent perfume, are possibly the most adored characteristics. Buttermilk yellow light emanates from the base of the inner, ruffled petals of the double, globe-shaped flowers, which are creamy white overall. tight, little buds that flower swiftly and have an opening diameter of 4-6 inches. This heirloom cultivar has a large, extraordinarily fragrant bloom and is more than 150 years old.
Kansas 3. The American Home Achievement Medal and the American Peony Society Gold Medal were given to Kansas in 1942 and 1957, respectively, after it made its triumphant debut in 1940. Due to its brilliant and effervescent brilliance, Kansas has been regarded to as the crown jewel of peonies and is frequently featured in pictures. Because it lasts a long time in vases, floral designers enjoy it, and many people adore it for its vibrant color. Large, double rose-shaped blooms with a deep fuchsia hue that ranges from raspberry to watermelon are a popular choice for adding a strong punch of color to arrangements. The Kansas bud harvest stage differs noticeably from other stages. It requires a skilled farmer’s touch to time the harvest correctly because it must be cut at a much softer stage than most other types for it to fully blossom in the vase.
Festiva Maxima 4. Since 1851, both amateur gardeners and commercial producers have favored this well-known white peony because it sets the bar for perfection. This flamboyant variety has endured the test of time for good reason; it possesses all the qualities we look for in a peony, including fluffy, fragrant blossoms with long stems that linger both in the yard and in vases. A huge, loosely formed, all-white bloom that is totally double and fully developed, with a few red flecks on some inner petal tips. The enormous, tightly packed buds swiftly expand to an average diameter of 6 to 9 inches and have a potent, enduring aroma. A rare gift loved by a select few, a trace of blush in some blossoms is not unusual in chilly growing areas!
Red Charm 5. The benchmark red peony used to compare all other red peonies. Red Charm is a bomb-shaped bloom with large guard petals encircling a soft ball of ruffled petals at its center. Its color is frequently characterized as a deep crimson or merlot. Red Charm, which Glasscock first released in 1944, received the Gold Medal from the American Peony Society in 1956. It is challenging to surpass “Red Charm” for the field, vase, and exhibition because this peony is well recognized and adored all over the world.
Lesser Known Gems That You Won’t Forget
First Jacorma This huge bloom has many ruffled petals and a dark pink color that does not deteriorate with age. It also has a subtle, alluring aroma. a late-bloomer with a massive bud that opens into a massive bloom. Born in the Netherlands, the name is an acronym for the DeVroomen family’s Dutch names Jan, Cor, and Marie.
Marie Lemoine, 2. A stunning white peony with stamens tucked inside the petals giving off a honey golden light. A delicate, agreeable scent to go with the huge bloom on the strong, sturdy stem. On occasion, the inner petals’ edges will develop a delicate scarlet edge. This cultivar resembles a very huge Duchesse de Nemours when in bud form. An excellent late-season bloomer that was worth the wait. By Calot, in 1869, Marie Lemoine was created in France.
3. My Heart
When brides and floral designers think of blush peonies, they picture this treasure. My Love originally hit the market in 1992, and ever since then, it has been hailed as a brilliant debut. Many people have described this flower as having a mother-of-pearl flush when it first opens, fading over time to become completely white. Elegant long stems and lustrous green leaves make it a good choice for arrangements and large-scale constructions. The big, full flowers emit a delicate scent. My Love is a lovely, passionate flower.
Paul M. Wild 4.
This large, totally double, ruby red peony has silky blossoms, keeps its color for the duration of the vase life, and has a wonderful smell. Although it is a deep red, the overall hue is more raspberry than burgundy. The totally double bloom and smooth, tulip-shaped bud of Paul M Wild make it a very appealing addition to your garden and vase.
Pecher 5.
The most fragrant varieties of double form peonies typically come from Pecher, who doesn’t let you down. One of the most fragrant and enjoyable peony a grower will ever have the pleasure of experiencing is this one. When left to flower on the bush, the bloom, which is sometimes characterized as light pink or blush, gradually fades to a near-white color as it ages. The inner petals of Pecher occasionally have exquisite brilliant pink speckling. Under the countless layers of delicate petals, semi-double seed pods with pink tips can be seen. This type is a wonderful addition to the collection of any peony aficionado because of the huge color range brought on by several bloom stages, the unique smell, and the lengthy flowering season. It is not unusual for Pecher to have flowers from early to late in the traditional peony bloom season.
On the basis of attractiveness alone, it is impossible to choose a preferred peony variety. However, by taking into account a few elements like the planting location, the growth environment, the characteristics that are most desirable to the grower, and the intended purpose of the peony flower, we may reduce the number of possibilities. Our farmers are ready to assist you choose the best variety to suit your needs, whether you desire a special variety in a striking color that might only last a few days or a robust standard that can withstand a variety of summer weather conditions.
Use the discount code THEPEONYJOURNAL in our online store to receive a 20% discount on Sarah Bernhardt peonies shipped all season long—this offer is only available to readers of The Peony Journal!
What three varieties of peony exist?
About 30 species of flowering plants in the family Paeoniaceae make up the genus peony (genus Paeonia), which is distinguished by its enormous, spectacular flowers. The majority of these species are produced as ornamentals and for the flower industry, with the exception of two that are native to Europe and Asia.
Peonies can be divided into three different types: herbaceous Eurasian peonies, Asian tree peonies, often known as moutan peonies, and North American peonies. The perennial herbaceous peonies can reach heights of approximately one meter (about 3 feet). They feature broad, glossy leaves with numerous divisions that grow on annual stems made by fleshy rootstocks. They produce enormous single and double flowers in the colors of white, pink, rose, and deep crimson throughout the late spring and early summer. The majority of the well-known garden peonies are descendants of the fragrant Chinese peony (P. lactiflora) and the European common peony (P. officinalis). P. lactiflora has produced hundreds of cultivated varieties, including Japanese forms with a cluster of partially developed petals in the center and one or two rows of petals on either side (petaloid stamens).
What peony is the oldest?
As I comment on the following very old peony varieties, I make use of both the American Peony Society’s (APS) registration data from Carsten Burkhardt’s peony data bank and my personal observations. As each plant matures on our Oregon farm, I record its height.
The name of the peony is followed by the hybridizer’s last name and the year of introduction. Many of these peonies are offered at the farm throughout bloom season in containers. Check our website’s Peonies tab or send us an email to inquire about the availability of these or other peonies you’re looking for in bare root form for fall shipping.
Excellent Edulis (Lemon, 1824) One of the earliest hybridized peonies, it is still a favorite every year. The narrower inner petals of the double, old-rose pink bloom with beautiful guard petals form a “crown.” One of the double peonies that blooms early is this one. Although this very fragrant, floriferous cultivar produces excellent medium-sized cut flowers and is consistently accessible in commerce, the weak stems benefit from staking in the garden. midseason, 36 tall.
Maxima Festiva (Miellez, 1851) Large, double, white peony blossoms with a few petals in the center that are flecked with red. This globular-shaped peony has large, haphazardly distributed petals, which gives them the appearance of being fluffy. This longer variety’s stems are often sturdy, but adding a second bouquet of buds will help it withstand the rain. Many visitors exclaim, “This is the one Grandma had,” upon experiencing the sweet scent emanating from these peony flowers. A beautiful peony bouquet in the traditional style. 36 tall. season’s early.
Mrs. Duke of Nemours (Calot, 1856) A double, creamy white peony with early blooms. The elevated center petals, which have a pale yellow base, are surrounded by guard petals. These white, medium-sized peonies make wonderful cut flowers for bouquets. a lovely smell. A midseason early blooming that reaches a height of around 34.
Paillet, Mons (Guerin, 1857) A double peony with a rose-pink blush and several side buds creates a “bouquet on a stalk.” Guard petals that are light pink with tufts of narrower, softer-colored inner petals. fades to a delicate blush or white. very aromatic A midseason early blooming that reaches a height of around 36. This vintage variety is popular, so we are cultivating more of it for upcoming seasons.
L’Eclatante (Calot, 1860) Peony, red, double, and fragrant. Although it is 154 years old, it is new to us at Brooks Gardens, therefore I will provide some descriptive observations.
Dupont, Mons (Calot, 1872) The stems on this enormous double peony in creamy white are rigid. The yellow stamens and red splotches on the core petals give the flower an inner warmth. Some of the petals of this unique peony cup inward. It smells wonderful and is fluffy. A favorite peony of mine. late in the year
Cousse, Felix ( Crousse, 1881) Bomb-style, double peony in crimson red. Vigorous. less tall at 32 inches. weaker stems, but beautiful when trimmed. Midseason. Known as one of the best reds and extremely well-liked for more than 130 years.
Avalanche (Crousse, 1886) Large, double, white peony. minimal scent Blush white with a few petals that have very narrow crimson edges and a light pink center. The petals of the outer petals are typically recurved from the ball-like center of the blooms, which are typically incurved. lovely foliage a mid-season blooming These snow-white peonies enthrall our farm’s guests.
Elie Mons Jules (Crousse, 1888) Peony flowers in the double bomb design are rose pink. Guard petals that are broad and smooth; center that is incised and pale pink silvered. Very free-flowering; stems are floppy and loose; staking may be beneficial. a favorite for cut flowers. Fragrant. 36, a blooming for midseason.