Peonies are swoon-worthy with over-sized, fragrant, ridiculously showy blooms that every garden needs. Yes, their bloom time is short, and yes, they take up room in the garden, but they deserve every inch of that real estate for blooming those luscious blooms that make gorgeous cut flowers that smell divine. So, here’s the how-to and our encouragement to go for it. They’re worth it!
Peonies are herbaceous (non-woody) perennials, while tree peonies are both herbaceous AND woody. Both thrive with almost total neglect. Peonies are long-lived—some are decades and even centuries old; it’s common to hear of them as family heirlooms. An old-fashioned favorite for cottage gardens and wedding bouquets, they are deer resistant, super cold hardy, easy-to-care-for and disease and pest free. Plant them together as a hedge, as a focal point, or a back-drop for spring-blooming perennials. Their bloom time is short, so plant early, mid-season, and late-season varieties and keep blooms going for up to six weeks.
And, in case you’re wondering if it’s pe-o-ny or pe-ony, click here for the pronunciation.
Basic Cultural Care for Peonies
- Full sun, 6+ hours a day of direct sunlight — can live with a half day of sun (4 hours) but blooms best in direct, full sun.
- Perfect for Zones 3-8. Pick cultivars that bloom earlier or later if on the outer edge of the zone.
- Well-drained, moist, humus-rich soil, neutral alkaline soil. (6.5)
- Plant in a wind-free place as flower heads are heavy, and winds can damage them, causing flowers to flop.
- Skip the fertilizer, side dress with compost.
- Peonies do not like to be moved, so choose a permanent spot for them. If you must transplant peonies, do so in September.
Your Peony May Need Extra Support
Use peony rings to help flowers stay upright. Place the rings over plants as soon as shoots are starting to come up in the spring. Peonies make beautiful cut flowers, and cutting blossoms to bring indoors also helps with the weight of peony blooms, keeping them off the ground. Some newer cultivars have stronger stems and flop less. Look for these if that is preferred.
Here are a few tried-and-true favorites you might look for at the garden center:
1. — ‘Sarah Bernhardt’
‘Sarah Bernhardt’ peony is an old-fashioned tried-and-true pink favorite that blooms mid-spring. Peonies are very drought resistant and fuss free after being established.
2. — ‘Karl Rosenfield’
‘Karl Rosenfield’ is an herbaceous, mid-to-late spring blooming peony. Peonies need little fertilization, so side-dressing with compost in spring is all they need.
3. — ‘Bartzilla’ (Itoh peony)
Itoh peonies are a cross between herbaceous and woody peonies, giving them stronger stems, and prolific and upright blooms. They are herbaceous and need cutting back in the fall. Their fragrance is strong and these make excellent cut flowers.
4. — ‘Dr. Alexander Fleming’
‘Dr. Alexander Fleming’ peony is a dark-pink double that produces side buds for longer bloom. Peonies are nostalgic, charming additions to your garden.
5. — ‘Festiva Maxima’
This is an herbaceous, old-fashioned white peony that makes a great cut flower. It is fragrant, a prolific bloomer, and a best seller for good reason!
For more peony inspiration, check out the #peony community on Instagram and Pinterest, where the peony world is strong. We’re also fans of the American Peony Society where they say, “If wishes were peonies…”
