Peonies are a kind of blooming shrub that produces a profusion of fragrant hues. The most stunning blooms you’ll see are found in the majority of peony varieties. From dark purples and reds to light pinks, yellows, and whites, peonies come in a variety of color hues. Some of the most stunning cut flowers to brighten up your home are the blooms from these perennial plants.
Peonies are a kind of flowering plant that belongs to the Paeoniaceae family and is classified as a genus of plants called Paeonia. Tree Peonies, Herbaceous Peonies, and Intersectional Peonies are the three types of peony. Peonies come in around 40 different varieties, with approximately 6,500 cultivars and hybrids. Single flowers with lovely-colored petals may be seen on some varieties of peonies. Because of their layered appearance and ruffled petals, other peony blooms are classified as double blooms.
Peonies are a low-maintenance kind of shrub, which is one of the many reasons for planting them in your garden. They’re also tough perennials that will brighten up your yard year after year. Peony blooms bloom for up to 10 days and are usually seen in late spring and early summer. You’ll learn about numerous peony species and how to differentiate them in this article. You’ll also discover what sort of peonies you should plant in your garden.
Types of Peonies
The Paeonia genus is divided into three groups based on the type of plant:
Herbaceous peonies
The most widespread type of peony is herbaceous, blooming in late spring/early summer. Herbaceous peony plants thrive in zones 3–8 and develop into a bushy shrub that grows to be around 3 feet (90 cm) tall. In the autumn, the glossy green leaves usually take on a golden hue.
Tree peonies
In early spring, tree peonies produce huge showy flowers that bloom before the herbaceous peony types. Zone 4 through Zone 9 are ideal for all types of tree peonies. The vast shrubs’ deep green foliage contrasts nicely with the lovely blooms. Tree peonies grow to be between 3 and 7 feet (0.9 and 2.1 meters) tall, compared to herbaceous peonies, which are smaller and less fragrant.
Itoh hybrid peonies (intersectional peonies)
Several of the most stunning shrubs for your garden are interspecies varieties of peonies. A cross between herbaceous and tree peonies, intersecting types of peonies are available. Little shrubs with up to 50 lovely flowers, peonies are a kind of intersectional plant. They’ll grow to be around 2.5 feet (75 cm) tall and 3 feet (90 cm) wide in zones 4 through 9. All peonies thrive in well-drained soil, whether they are in full sun or partial shade.
Types of Peony Flowers
The types of flowers produced by peonies are also used to classify them:
- Single peony flowers A contrasting center distinguishes this plant from others.
- Semi-double peony flowers Their ruffled petals are quite bright, and they have a multilayer appearance.
- Double peony flowers The bushy blooms, which aren’t centered, are used to identify them.
- Japanese peony flowers These lovely glossy flowers are called so because the Japanese like them especially.
- Bomb peony flowers Because of their large globular blooms of petals, they are given this name.
Peony Varieties (With Pictures, Names, and Colors)
There are far too many peony varieties to list. Here are some of the most stunning and gorgeous peonies available, whether in your garden or at home.
Peony ‘America’
The peony ‘America’ cultivar has a single row of somewhat ruffled petals and is red in color with a yellow center. The cluster of brilliant yellow stamens in the middle of this herbaceous peony contrasts with the scarlet petals. This sturdy spring-flowering plant can bear up to ten enormous brilliantly colored blooms.
Peony ‘Bartzella’ (Itoh Hybrid)
Peony blossoms named ‘Bartzella’ are golden yellow and have ruffled petals, which bloom in late spring. The double peony blooms, which may be up to 8 inches (20 cm) broad, have a ruffled appearance. These lovely pale-yellow blossoms feature a cluster of butter-colored stamens and deep red or scarlet centers. After a few years of growth, the ‘Bartzella’ hybrid peony will produce up to 60 gorgeous flowers in your garden!
Peony ‘Buckeye Belle’
The garden peony variety (botanical name: Paeonia officinalis) and the Chinese peony variety (Paeonia lactiflora) are crossed to create the popular dark red peony variety. This one of the most popular peonies because of its gorgeous semi-double showy flowers. The velvety dark red petals contrast with the explosion of vividly coloured yellow stamens in the center, making the ‘Buckeye Belle’ peony easily recognizable. These are also excellent cut flowers for a lovely floral show since they are one of the darkest red peonies.
Peony ‘Chocolate Soldier’
The dark peony hybrid known as the ‘Chocolate Soldier’ has maroon-colored flowers that are almost black. Because of its dark coloring, the single row of petals creates a bowl shape around a bright yellow core. Against the dark green leafy foliage, the dark blooms standout even more.
Peony ‘Big Ben’
The large peony with double blooms resembling Big Ben will make a wonderful addition to any garden. The Paeonia lactiflora variety has a perennial double-flowered peony. The big bloom heads, when cut into blooms in a vase, feature gorgeous dishevelled petals.
Peony ‘Bowl of Beauty’
Blossoms on this lovely herbaceous peony plant feature huge rose-pink outer petals with a cluster of ruffled white petals in the center. The herbaceous peony cultivar ‘Bowl of Beauty’ is recognized by its particular pink peony flower. Your garden or flower arrangement will be graced with anemone-shaped blooms that grow up to 8″ (20 cm) across.
Peony ‘Do Tell’
The hybrid cultivar Peony ‘Do Tell’ has light pink flowers with anemone-like characteristics. In the middle, a cluster of yellow and rose-colored staminodes is surrounded by delicate light pink petals. When they bloom in late spring, these lovely peony blooms emit a faint fragrance. Your garden has a beautiful burst of light pinks and lilacs thanks to the many blooms on each shrub.
Peony ‘Bride’s Dream’
Large white blooms adorn this woody peony variety, which is known as the ‘Bride’s Dream.’ On the center of each branch of ‘Bride’s Dream’ peonies is a cluster of tiny little white petals that fan out. In strong winds, the peony blooms rest on top of sturdy wooden stems. The showy flowers appear bright white from afar, contrasting vividly with the deep green leaves.
Peony ‘Claire de Lune’
The herbaceous peony variety ‘Claire de Lune’ is one of the first to bloom in the spring. It has ivory-white petals with a yellow center. As they bloom, the broad ivory-white petals will develop a crinkled appearance. The blooms are cream white and have a golden-yellow core made up of filaments. In a wedding or celebration flower arrangement, the lovely huge white peony blossoms are stunning.
Paeonia ‘First Arrival’
This Itoh peony gets its name from the fact that it is one of the first hybrid peonies to bloom in a given year. It has lavender-pink blooms. Crinkly lavender-pink peony blooms make up this semi-double variety of peony. As you get closer to the center of the blossom, the gorgeous blooms become redder. The Itoh peony bloom has a magenta and yellow-colored spikey sphere in the middle. Each plant may produce up to 40 huge blooms, each measuring 8 inches (20 cm) across.
Peony ‘Julia Rose’
Another Intersectional peony (Itoh) is the lovely ‘Julia Rose,’ which has cherry red buds that change to apricot color with purple flush edging as it opens. The showy blooms, which include orange and apricot hues, emit a spicy odor and may be found in numerous shades. Flowers may be solitary or semi-double blooms, depending on the type of peony hybrid.
Peony ‘Pink Derby’
The striking feature of this herbaceous plant is the double blooms on the herbaceous peony ‘Pink Derby. With a big cluster of ruffled petals in the center, the multi-layers of pink and lilac blossoms have a really exquisite appearance. White colored flowers bloom at the end of spring in some varieties of ‘Pink Derby.’ You may need to stalk the peony to get it support since there are so many huge bomb peony blooms.
Peony ‘Prairie Charm’
This bright and hardy Itoh peony, the ‘Prairie Charm,’ shows off lovely yellow semi-double blooms. The flower heads have a spectacular display due to the creamy yellow blossoms forming a huge cluster. Scarlet-colored petals are at the heart of this peony. The broad blooms appear on the summit of tall sturdy stalks that rise high above the rich green grass. From a single bush, expect to get around 50 yellow peony blooms.
Peony ‘Festiva Maxima’
The peony flowers are white with crimson specks in the middle and may be used at any occasion. This peony has some of the most stunning crimson specks in the center of its pure-white double flowers. Every spring, the huge white frilly blossoms, which may be up to 7 inches (17 cm) across, will brighten up your yard. Every year, this peony bush produces a plethora of snow-white blooms.
Peony ‘Green Halo’
Due to the light-green frilly petals surrounding a tuft of ruffled white petals and yellow center, the cultivar is known as the ‘Green Halo.’ This 8″ (20 cm) flower blooms from the Paeonia lactiflora series, and it has a nice floral fragrance. These robust blooms are ideal for adding to any cut flower arrangement.
Peony ‘Sarah Bernhardt’
The ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ cultivar is a gorgeous pink peony with ruffled blooms. This lovely peony with ruffled pink petals creates stunning showy displays. The inner petals of the flowers are sometimes speckled with red, which adds to their charm. Plant some of the late, mid, and early-blooming varieties to ensure that your garden has wonderful pink colors all spring.
Peony ‘Red Emperor’
This hybrid peony has huge brilliantly-colored red blooms that are herbaceous. Against the mound of glossy green leaves, the crimson double flowers on this herbaceous perennial stand out. As cut flowers in a vase, these gorgeous blossoms look fantastic.
Peony ‘Nippon Beauty’
The ‘Nippon Beauty’ is a popular variety of peony with cup-shaped crimson petals surrounding a ruffled core. Red and gold-colored staminodes make up the center of this kind of peony flower. Against the dark green glossy foliage of the peony shrub, the big deep red open petals of this flower really stand out. The Nippon Beauty, which blooms from early spring to early summer, comes in a variety of colors.
Peony ‘Honey Gold’
The ‘Honey Gold’ peony cultivar has white blooms and a yellow spike in the middle, making it an excellent example of a peony. The petals of the Japanese flowers are quite huge, opening out from the middle. The bushy center of brightly-colored yellow petaloids creates a spectacular flower show. Pick the ‘Honey Gold’ peony if you’re looking for stunning white flowers for your garden.
Peony ‘Krinkled White’
The cultivar ‘Krinkled White’ is a gorgeous example of a white peony with a yellow center. As the bushy shrub blooms in late spring, the large blossoms look absolutely beautiful. Crepe-like papery petals make up each fragrant peony bloom. A little tuft of brilliant yellow stamens sits in the middle of the crinkly petals. For an attractive cut flower floral arrangement, use these white peonies as a centerpiece.
Peony ‘Fernleaf’
The red peony variety ‘Fernleaf’ has needle-like foliage with a feathery appearance. These popular peonies are distinguished by their tiny red blooms and feathery silvery-green leaves. A hairy yellow center distinguishes each 4″ (10 cm) wide red peony blossom. The Fernleaf has needle-like leaves rather than thick wide leaves, as do the other peonies on this list. When planted in clusters in the springtime, these peonies are particularly beautiful.
Peony ‘Pillow Talk’
‘Pillow Talk’ is herbaceous peony with light pink double blossoms, because it resembles a fluffed-up pillow. The frilly soft pink double flowers are formed by densely packed petals. As a result, there is a beautiful peony blossom head that is showy and fragrant. Among the most award-winning peonies you can buy are these 5″ (12 cm) wide medium-sized peony blooms.
Peony ‘Topeka Garnet’
The Topeka Garnet is a lovely example of peony blooms with a deep red solitary bloom and yellow center. By spreading out and curling the single peony blooms, they create a bowl shape. They have a deep crimson color to them. The brilliant golden-yellow stamens in the center produce a contrasting yellow tuft of sunlight. After being cut in the bud, flowers from the Topeka Garnet variety bloom in a vase for up to a week..
Peony ‘Coral Charm’
The ‘Coral Charm’ is a pink peony variety with a yellow center that blooms early. The petals of this pink peony variety are rather big, and they become lighter pink and ivory white as you go along. The displayy semi-double flowers encircle golden stamens in the heart, forming a bowl. Little black buds with pink tops are seen in the middle of the peony blossom.
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Whopper’
This is a very showy example of a double blossom peony, with pink-colored blooms and a frilly center. Paeonia lactiflora ‘Whopper’ A frilly center is formed by the papery ruffled petals clumping together. These eye-catching fragrant peony flowers are created by surrounding the central tuft with larger smooth light-pink petals.
‘Rock’s Peony’
‘Rock’s Peony’ (Paeonia rockii) is a variety of white peony with a black and yellow center. The semi-double blooms of white flowers emerge from this huge flowering peony shrub. The petals are cup and saucer-shaped, with a little ruffling. ‘Rock’s’ peonies are one of the most fragrant peony species, with their white peony blooms having a bright yellow center and black or deep purple coloring.