There is great diversity in the peony genus. We introduce you to the most beautiful and popular peony varieties.
The genus of peonies (Paeonia) offers an almost unlimited variety of flower colors and shapes. This is thanks to the intensive and lengthy work of many plant breeders around the world. So it is almost difficult to name a favorite among the countless species and varieties of peonies. To make your decision a little easier, we present the most beautiful peony varieties below.
Peony types and varieties at a glance
Well-assorted horticultural businesses offer up to 600 varieties of herbaceous peonies and up to 200 varieties of tree peonies. With so many plants to choose from, it's good to become familiar with a few distinguishing features.
Different growth forms of the peony
Within the genus Paeonia there are perennial peonies on the one hand and tree peonies on the other. Both peony growth forms live up to their name: the non-woody shoots of the perennial peony die off in autumn and sprout again bursting with vigor the next spring. The tree peony, on the other hand, forms woody shoots and does not move in in winter. As a result, the growth of the tree peony under good conditions is usually much more expansive than that of the shrub peony, so that it should be given a more generous place in the bed.
Peony Genus Choice
The perennial peonies (especially Paeonia lactiflora) have a bulbous, thickened rootstock and have a herbaceous habit, which means that the plants sprout in spring and pull back in autumn return to the ground and survive there with the help of their overwintering organs. The perennial peonies can reach a height of 130 cm and even grow beyond this with increasing age. For this reason, there should be enough space available from the outset.
The tree peonies (especially Paeonia suffruticosa) form woody onessprouts and branches. Although they also lose their leaves in autumn, they remain visible in the garden with their branch structures. This plant species can reach a height of 250 cm or more over many years if given a good location.
The peony hybrids are a small botanical sensation, as they are a cross between species of perennial and tree peonies. This breed has existed since the middle of the 20th century thanks to the Japanese breeder Toichi Itoh, but has only been known in Germany for about two decades. Over time, there were other breeds of this type, so they now offer a whole range of plants that flower in different colors, grow very compactly and have a particularly long flowering period. The hybrids are only woody at the base and often have very attractive foliage combined with the typical perennial peony habit that remains rather compact.
Peonies in bloom
In summary, peonies bloom between mid-April and late June. The following portraits of the plants are intended to give you an initial, larger overview and at the same time to present the individual individuals with their growth, their flowers and their other characteristics on a small scale, so that you can make the right choice with the plant dealer.
The peony bloom times in this article are broken down as follows:
- very early=between mid and late April
- early=between late April and mid-May
- medium=between mid and end of May
- late=between late May and mid-June
- very late=mid to late June
Perennial Peonies
Perennial peonies are among the most popular and robust plants in your own garden. In addition, they like to stay in a location that meets their needs without being transplanted more frequently afterwards. They are available in many color variations - with and without fragrance and with different growth heights. In the following paragraphs you will find out everything you need to know about perennial peonies.
Wild perennial peonies
No other wild plant, apart from the tree peony, forms such large flowers as the herbaceous peony. The colored calyxes of these individuals can grow up to 15 cm and have therefore earned a place in the sun. The home of the wild forms of perennial peonieslies in the slopes of the Caucasus, in the Urals, in the Himalayas and also in the Atlas Mountains in Algeria and Morocco. The European species are now almost extinct and can only be found in the southern regions of the Alps and in places in Siberia.
The following representatives of wild peonies are particularly attractive:
- Wild Peony (Paeonia officinalis): Reaches a height of 50 cm; white-pink flowers, 7 - 9 cm in diameter, unscented; Flowering time is very early to early.
- Coral Peony (Paeonia mascula subsp. arietina): Reaches a height of 60cm; white-pink to crimson flowers, 10 - 12 cm in diameter, unscented; Flowering time is very early to early.
- Greek Peony (Paeonia peregrina): Reaches a height of 70 - 100 cm; red flower, 7 - 11 cm diameter, without fragrance; Flowering is early.
- Balkan Peony, Dill Peony (Paeonia tenuifolia): Reaches a height of 30 - 40 cm; red flower, 5 - 7 cm diameter, delicate fragrance; Flowering time is very early.
- Yellow Caucasus Peony (Paeonia mlokosewitschii): Reaches 50 cm in height; yellow flower, 10 cm flower diameter, delicate fragrance; Flowering time is very early.
- Chinese Peony (Paeonia lactiflora): Reaches a height of 50 - 60 cm; white or pink flowers, 7 - 10 cm diameter, delicate fragrance; Flowering is late.
Historical perennial peony varieties
These peony varieties that emerged in the 19th and early 20th centuries are no longer as common today as they were at that time. However, they are just as indispensable as the historical roses, which are still unrivaled with their beauty and fragrance. Unfortunately, one disadvantage lies in the handling, since their flower stalks often cannot carry the large flower head. Therefore, historical perennial peonies usually need a solid support. The majority of known and traded perennial peonies go back to the species Paeonia lactiflora.
The following varieties look particularly good in your own garden:
- ‚Duchesse de Nemours' (Paeonia lactiflora): Reaches a height of 80 - 100 cm; white flowers, 13 cm diameter, fresh fragrance with lemon notes; Flowering is late.
- ‚Festiva Maxima' (Paeonia lactiflora): Reaches a height of 80 cm; white flower, 12 cmflower diameter, very good typical scent of peonies; Flowering time is medium.
- ‚Karl Rosenfield' (Paeonia lactiflora): Reaches a height of 70 cm; red flower, 14 cm flower diameter, delicate, spicy fragrance; Flowering time is medium.
- ‚Sarah Bernhardt' (Paeonia lactiflora): Reaches a height of 95 cm; pink flower, 16 - 20 cm diameter, strong fragrance; Flowering is late.
- ‚Königswinter' (Paeonia lactiflora): Reaches a height of 65 cm; white-purple flower, 14 cm flower diameter, delicate scent; Flowering time is late with second flowering.
- ‚Shrinking' (Paeonia lactiflora): Reaches a height of 95 cm; carmine pink flower, 14 cm flower diameter, delicate fragrance; Flowering time is mid to late.
- ‚Wiesbaden' (Paeonia lactiflora): Reaches a height of 80 cm; pink nuanced flower, 13 cm flower diameter, unscented; Flowering is late.
Japanese Peonies
The plants in this group have their very own flower shape and were largely bred in Japan. The stamens of these varieties have been transformed through breeding and selection into petals, ribbons or threads (petaloids), which fill the inside of the flower. This peony blossom was also known as Imperial blossom (Emperor blossom) in Japan. Another special feature is that the flower bowls often have a different color than the filling. At the beginning of the 20th century, this breeding form also reached America, whereupon numerous American breeds with Japanese characteristics emerged within a short period of time.
The following varieties were particularly popular:
- ‚Bowl of Beauty' (Paeonia lactiflora): Reaches a height of 65 cm; dusky pink flowers with a light yellow filling, 15 - 16 cm in diameter, unscented; Flowering is late.
- ‚Neon´ (Paeonia lactiflora): Reaches a height of 90 cm; pink-purple flower with red filling, 12 cm flower diameter, delicate fragrance; Flowering is late.
- ‚Sword Dance' (Paeonia lactiflora): Reaches a height of 70 cm; garnet-red flower with carmine-pink filling, 14 cm flower diameter, delicate fragrance; Flowering time is very late.
Tree Peonies
There are around 1,000 varieties of tree peonies, as well as a few different types that have a shrub-like habit. MostHowever, cultivars of tree peonies that are commercially available belong to the species Paeonia suffruticosa. The central characteristics of the tree peonies are their often tall growth and their stable flower stalks.
Wild tree peonies
The plants presented here are most relevant for today's tree peony breeding and have their natural home in China. They are commercially available as one to four year old seedlings.
- Paeonia rockii: Reaches a height of 150 - 200 cm; single to double white or pink flowers with dark basal spots, up to about 20 cm across, light fragrance; flowering time is early; better known to some as Paeonia suffruticosa rockii .
- Paeonia delavayi: Reaches a height of 150 - 200 cm; Mahogany to orange-red flowers, up to 8 cm in diameter, lily scent.
- Paeonia ludlowii: Reaches a height of 180 - 250 cm; yellow flower with a diameter of 5 - 8 cm, without fragrance; Flowering time is late to very late.
- Paeonia lutea: Reaches a height of 100 cm; yellow flower with a diameter of 5 - 6 cm, lemon scent; Flowering is late.
Tree Peonies: Paeonia suffruticosa
One can also speak of the historical tree peonies with this variant, since some varieties of this group are already several centuries old. Both the Chinese and Japanese as well as the old European varieties belong to this group. The tall growth and the light green to bright green leaves are common to all peonies. Paeonia suffruticosa hybrids are often spoken of, since the genetic identity of other peony species has already been incorporated, but the crossing partners can no longer be clearly identified.
The following plants enrich every private garden:
- ‚Hana Kisoi' (Paeonia x suffruticosa): Reach a height of 150 - 200cm; pink shaded flower, 20 cm flower diameter, fragrant; Flowering is early.
- ‚Higurashi' (Paeonia x suffruticosa): Reaches a height of 130 cm ; dark, old pink flowers, 16 - 18 cm in diameter, unscented; Flowering is early.
- ‚Shimadaijin' (Paeonia x suffruticosa): Reaches a height of 150 cm ; red-violet flower, 18 cm flower diameter, unscented; Flowering is early.
Peonies: hybrid varieties
Peony hybrids are the product of crossing two different Paeonia species. Depending on the genetic similarity, a cross between two different species can be more or less successful. With the peonies, combinations of varieties of different Paeonia species are conceivable. In general, however, the goal is the combination of the traits of the parents in the offspring hybrid generation.
Peony Hybrid
Compared to the historical, classic perennial peonies, the modern peony hybrids are usually characterized by good stability and an early flowering period. The latter is usually four to six weeks before the start of flowering for Lactiflora peonies. Garden peony hybrids come in a variety of appearances from white to pink to dark red and yellow, and also with open, semi-double or double flowers.
The following hybrids are particularly attractive:
- ‚Carina' (Paeonia x hybrida): Reaches a height of 70 cm ; scarlet flower, 14 - 17 cm flower diameter, unscented; Flowering time is medium.
- ‚Coral Charme' (Paeonia x hybrida): Reaches a height of 80 cm; coral pink flower, 18 cm flower diameter, unscented; Flowering time is medium.
- ‚Cytherea' (Paeonia lactiflora x Paeonia peregrina): Reaches a height of 50 cm; raspberry-red flower, 16 cm flower diameter, unscented; Flowering is early.
- ‚Paula Fay' (Paeonia x hybrida): Reaches a height of 50 cm; candy pink flower, 12 cm flower diameter, unscented; Flowering is early.
- ‚Roselette' (Paeonia x hybrida): Reaches a height of 70 cm ; pink flower, 9 cm flower diameter, delicate fragrance; Flowering is early.
Tree Peony Hybrids
These hybrids are the result of crossing the noble Suffruticosa varieties with the wild species Paeonia delavayi, Paeonia lutea and Paeonia rockii. Growth of these hybrids is approximately three weeks staggered from classic tree peonies.
- ‚Black Pirate' (Paeonia lutea x Paeonia delavayi): Reaches a height of 90 - 120cm; dark red flower, 15 cm diameter, unscented; Flowering time is medium.
- ‚High Noon' (Paeonia lutea x Paeonia delavayi): Reaches a height of 150cm; yellow flower with red basal spots, 10 cm diameter, withoutscent; Flowering is late.
- ‚Souvenir du Maxime Cornu' (also: ‚Kinkaku', Paeonia suffruticosa x Paeonia lutea ): Reaches a height of 150 cm; yellow flower with orange edge, 16 cm flower diameter, lovely fragrance; Flowering time is medium.
- ‚Tria' (Paeonia lutea x hybrid): Reaches a height of 150 cm; yellow flower, 10 cm flower diameter, lovely fragrance; Flowering time is early to mid.
Tip: The later flowering period of these hybrids is suitable for extending the flowering period of the tree peonies overall.
Itoh Hybrids: Intersectional Peony Hybrids
The so-called Itoh peonies are a real speci alty, namely hybrids between perennial and shrub peonies (Paeonia lactiflora x Paeonia lutea , synonym: Paeonia x itoh). These intersectional crosses combine the periwinkle and flower size of the tree peony with the compact habit and hardiness of the perennial forms. The crosses of the Itoh group are named in honor of their discoverer, the Japanese Toichi Itoh.
- 'Bartzella': Yellow Itoh hybrid with internal red basal spot; maximum height of 100 cm; very popular, but also expensive.
- ‚Cora Louise': Creamy whitish with purplish colored eye; loose growth; reaches a height of up to 100 cm.
- 'Love Affair': Pure white flower; semi-double flower with late flowering period.
- ‚Old Rose Dandy‘: Changeable flower color from light beige to intense purple with all shades in between; semi-double flower; 70 to 80 cm growth height.
- ‚Red Double Seedling': intense dark red flower; partly filled with medium flowering time; up to 80 cm high.
- 'Scarlet Heaven': bright red flower; maximum 80 cm high with very bushy growth.
You can find out more about planting your peonies correctly here in our special article.