Peony Varieties: 40 Stunning Types To Elevate Your Garden
Discover 40 beautiful peony varieties—from classic doubles to rare hybrids, there's a bloom for every garden style and palette.
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Peony Varieties: 40 Stunning Types for Every Garden
Peonies have long enchanted gardeners with their lush blooms, delightful scents, and reliable resilience. With hundreds of cultivars spanning a rainbow of colors and a medley of flower forms, thereâs a peony variety to suit every garden palette and style. Whether youâre drawn to the classic forms of herbaceous peonies, the structural impact of tree peonies, or the innovative intersectional hybrids, exploring peony diversity is a journey through one of horticultureâs finest families.
Understanding Peony Types
Before diving into individual cultivars, itâs helpful to distinguish the three main types of peonies youâll encounter:
- Herbaceous Peonies: Traditional perennials that die back each fall and regrow each spring. These are the most familiar garden peonies and feature a dizzying array of flower formsâfrom single to double and everything in between. Typically hardy in zones 3-8.
- Tree Peonies: Woody deciduous shrubs that can reach up to 5 feet tall and wide. Their goblet-shaped flowers are often larger than herbaceous types, and they bloom earlier in spring. Most thrive best in zones 4-9.
- Intersectional (Itoh) Peonies: Hybrid crosses between tree and herbaceous peonies. These perennials offer the sturdy stems and unique colors of tree peonies with the reliability of herbaceous types. Theyâre favored for their vigor and do not require staking.
Now, letâs explore 40 of the most spectacular peony varieties, organized by type and highlighting what makes each one special.
Top 40 Peony Varieties by Type
Herbaceous Peonies
Buckeye Belle (Paeonia âBuckeye Belleâ)
- Type: Intersectional Hybrid
- Origin: America
- Size: 2â3 feet
- Zones: 3â8
- Sun: Partial shade to full sun
Buckeye Belle features deep velvet, wine-red semi-double flowers with a touch of gold at the center. Its sturdy stems rarely need staking, making it a favorite for low-maintenance gardens.
White Cap (Paeonia lactiflora âWhite Capâ)
- Type: Herbaceous Perennial
- Origin: Japan
- Size: 2â3 feet
- Zones: 3â8
- Sun: Partial shade to full sun
With a captivating bicolor look, White Cap peony boasts a single row of magenta petals encircling a puff of ivory-tipped, ruffled petals. A fragrant and sturdy option that rarely requires staking.
Solange (Paeonia lactiflora âSolangeâ)
- Type: Herbaceous Perennial
- Origin: Asia
- Size: 2â3 feet
- Zones: 3â8
- Sun: Partial shade to full sun
Solange dazzles with large, double blooms in white with a subtle blush of pink. Known for its ruffled petals and impressive size, this peony often requires staking to support its showy flowers.
Shirley Temple
- Type: Herbaceous Perennial
- Origin: Noted for widespread cultivation
- Size: 2â3 feet
- Zones: 3â8
This classic favorite starts with tinted pink buds that open to large, ruffled, pure white blooms. Shirley Temple is renowned for its reliability, abundant flowering, and suitability as a cut flower.
Bowl of Beauty
- Type: Herbaceous Perennial
- Feature: Large blooms with a single ring of deep pink petals around fluffy cream centers
A striking and unique addition to any garden, Bowl of Beauty produces huge, semi-double blooms that create an impressive, bicolor display.
Sara Bernhardt
- Type: Herbaceous Perennial
- Color: Soft, rose-pink
- Form: Full double
A timeless heirloom with abundant ruffled, pastel bloomsâhighly sought after for bouquets and garden borders alike.
Tree Peonies
Kamada Nishiki
- Type: Tree Peony
- Origin: Japan
- Color: Deep magenta or purple
- Size: Up to 5 feet
- Zones: 4â9
Celebrated for its abundant, large, and deeply colored blossoms, Kamada Nishiki makes a bold statement in spring landscapes.
High Noon
- Type: Tree Peony
- Color: Striking lemon yellow
- Flower Form: Semi-double
This rare yellow-flowering peony stands out with semi-double blooms and a notable lemon fragrance. With its vibrant color, High Noon delivers unique impact among more traditional pinks and reds.
Shimadaijin
- Type: Tree Peony
- Color: Deep purple
- Form: Large, goblet-shaped
Shimadaijin offers lush, dramatic purple flowers that capture attention and provide a truly regal presence in the garden.
Intersectional (Itoh) Peonies
Bartzella
- Type: Intersectional Hybrid
- Color: Lemon yellow
- Form: Semi-double to double
Bartzella is prized for its bright yellow, fragrant blooms and robust growth. A top choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance, showy peony.
Garden Treasure
- Type: Intersectional Hybrid
- Color: Yellow with a touch of red at the center
- Form: Semi-double
Garden Treasure stands out with sunny blooms and easy-care growth, fusing the best traits of tree and herbaceous peonies.
Keiko (Adored)
- Type: Intersectional Hybrid
- Color: Pink-lavender
Offers abundant, showy blooms in mid-to-late spring, with petals that transition from deep pink to a soft, glowing lavender.
Peony Flower Forms and Their Unique Beauty
Peonies come in several distinctive flower shapes that add to their charm:
- Single: Simple form with a single row of petals and prominent yellow stamens.
- Semi-double: Two or three rows of larger petals encircle visible stamens.
- Double: Many layers of petals form a lush, rounded bloom; stamens are concealed.
- Japanese/Anemone: One or two rows of petals with a central cluster of petaloids (small, modified petals).
- Bomb: Large outer petals with a dome of smaller, fluffy petals in the center.
Peony Colors: From Pure White to Rich Mahogany
Peony cultivars offer a breathtaking array of colors:
- Whites and creamy blushes
- Pastel pinks and rose shades
- Vivid magentas and reds
- Unusual yellows and sunny golds (especially in intersectional and tree peonies)
- Deep purples and mahogany reds
Some cultivars even shift color as their blooms mature, adding extra interest to the floral show.
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Choosing a Peony for Your Garden
When selecting the right peony, consider the following:
- Climate and Zone: Most peonies thrive in USDA zones 3â8. Tree peonies may do best in zones 5â9. Mulch young plants well in colder areas.
- Bloom Time: Select early, mid, and late-blooming varieties to extend your peony season from late spring through early summer.
- Plant Height: Ranges from compact (around 2 feet) to statuesque (up to 5 feet for tree peonies).
- Flower Form and Color: Decide if you want classic doubles, bold singles, or unique Japanese/anemone types; mix and match colors for your landscape palette.
- Fragrance: Some peonies are delightfully scented, perfect for cutting gardens and bouquets.
- Support Needs: Larger double varieties may require staking; intersectional hybrids and many singles generally do not.
Peony Planting and Care Essentials
- Plant peonies in well-draining soil with full to partial sun exposure.
- Space plants to allow for good air circulation, reducing disease risk.
- Plant herbaceous and intersectional peonies with eyes just 1â2 inches below soil; tree peonies are set a bit deeper.
- Water regularly in the first season; once established, peonies are drought-tolerant.
- Mulch in fall in colder zones for winter protectionâespecially for young plants.
- Avoid moving established peonies unless absolutely necessary; they dislike root disturbance.
Peony Varieties Table
| Variety | Type | Color | Height | Zones |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buckeye Belle | Intersectional Hybrid | Deep Wine Red | 2â3 ft | 3â8 |
| White Cap | Herbaceous | Magenta & White | 2â3 ft | 3â8 |
| Solange | Herbaceous | Blush White | 2â3 ft | 3â8 |
| Kamada Nishiki | Tree Peony | Magenta/Purple | Up to 5 ft | 4â9 |
| Bartzella | Intersectional Hybrid | Lemon Yellow | 2â3 ft | 4â8 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which peony variety is best for cut flowers?
Classic doubles like ‘Sara Bernhardt’, ‘Solange’, and ‘Shirley Temple’ are favorites for bouquets due to their large, fragrant blooms and sturdy stems. Intersectional peonies also make excellent cut flowers thanks to their long-lasting blooms and unique colors.
Do all peonies need staking?
Not all peonies require staking. Herbaceous doubles with especially large flowers may flop and benefit from support. Intersectional and single-to-semi-double types are usually sturdy enough to stand on their own.
When is the best time to plant peonies?
Fall is generally the best time to plant peony roots, allowing them to establish before spring growth. However, container-grown peonies can be planted in spring as well.
Will peonies flower in shade?
Peonies bloom best in full sun (at least 6 hours daily). While they tolerate some shade, too little light reduces the number and size of blooms.
Can peonies be grown in containers?
Compact varieties and dwarf tree peonies can be grown in large containers. Ensure excellent drainage and regular watering, and protect roots from winter freeze by insulating pots or moving them to a protected location.
Conclusion: Find Your Perfect Peony
With diverse flower forms, rich colors, and an easy-going nature, peonies have earned their spot as essential garden perennials. Thereâs a peony cultivar to suit every tasteâwhether you love the romance of ruffled doubles, the exotic flair of tree peonies, or the fresh innovation of Itoh hybrids. With a little care, your peonies will reward you with generations of showstopping blooms and enduring beauty.
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