Peony varieties: The 40 most beautiful varieties

There is great diversity in the plant genus of peonies. 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 species and varieties at a glance

Well-stocked horticultural businesses offer up to 600 varieties of perennial peonies and up to 200 varieties of tree peonies. With this immense number of plants, it is good to become familiar with a few distinguishing features.

Different growth forms of the peony

within the genus Paeonia the perennial peonies appear on the one hand, and the 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 is usually significant under good conditions more expansive than that of the perennial peony, so that it has a more generous place in the bed should be.

Choice of peony genus

The perennial peonies (especially Paeonia lactiflora) have a bulbous, thickened rootstock and have a herbaceous habit, i.e. the plants sprout in spring, they retreat back into the ground in autumn 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, appropriate space should be available from the outset.
The tree peonies (especially Paeonia suffruticosa) form woody shoots and branches. Although they also lose their leaves in autumn, they remain visible in the garden with their branch structures. This type of plant can reach a height of 250 cm or more over the course of many years if it is 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 form of cultivation has existed since the middle of the 20th century. 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 have a whole range of plants which flower in different colours, grow very compactly and have a particularly long flowering period to have. The hybrids only become woody at the base and often have very attractive foliage combined with the typical perennial peony habit that remains rather compact.

Flowering times of peonies

In summary, the flowering times for peonies are between mid-April and the end of June. The following portraits of the plants are intended to give you an initial, larger overview and at the same time the respective plants on a small scale Introduce individuals with their growth, flowering and other characteristics so that you can make the right choice with the plant dealer be able.

The flowering times of peonies 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 late 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 herbaceous 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 homeland of the wild forms of perennial peonies lies 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 60 cm; 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 flower diameter, without scent; Flowering time 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 a height of 50 cm; 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 time is late.

Historical perennial peony varieties

This in the 19th and early 20th The peony varieties that emerged in the 19th century are no longer as present 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 well-known and traded perennial peonies go this way Paeonia lactiflora back.

The following varieties are 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 time is late.
• ‚Festival Maxima‘ (Paeonia lactiflora): Reaches a height of 80 cm; white flower, 12 cm flower 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 time is late.
• ‚royal winter‘ (Paeonia lactiflora): Reaches a height of 65 cm; white-purple flower, 14 cm flower diameter, delicate scent; Flowering time is late with after-flowering.
• ‚fades‘ (Paeonia lactiflora): Reaches a height of 95 cm; carmine pink flower, 14 cm flower diameter, delicate fragrance; Flowering time is medium to late.
• ‚Wiesbaden‘ (Paeonia lactiflora): Reaches a height of 80 cm; pink nuanced flower, 13 cm flower diameter, unscented; Flowering time is late.

Japanese perennial 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. early 20th At the end of the 19th century, this breed also came to 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 flower with a light yellow filling, 15 - 16 cm flower diameter, without scent; Flowering time is late.
• ‚neon´ (Paeonia lactiflora): Reaches a height of 90 cm; pink-purple flower with red filling, 12 cm flower diameter, delicate fragrance; Flowering time 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. However, most varieties of tree peonies that are commercially available belong to the species Paeonia suffruticosa. The central characteristics of the tree peonies are the often high growth and their stable flower stalks.

Wild tree peony species

The plants presented here are most relevant to 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; some maybe more than Paeonia suffruticosa rockii famous.
• Paeonia delavayi: Reaches a height of 150-200 cm; Mahogany-colored to orange-red flowers, up to 8 cm in diameter, lily-scented.
• 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 time is late.

tree peonies: Paeonia suffruticosa

With this variant one can also speak of the historical tree peonies, 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. Often by Paeonia suffruticosa-Hybrids are spoken, 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): Reaches a height of 150 – 200 cm; pink shaded flower, 20 cm flower diameter, fragrant; Flowering time is early.
• ‚Higurashi‘ (Paeonia x suffruticosa): Reaches a height of 130 cm; dark, dusky pink flowers, 16 - 18 cm in diameter, unscented; Flowering time is early.
• ‚Shimadaijin‘ (Paeonia x suffruticosa): Reaches a height of 150 cm; red-violet flower, 18 cm flower diameter, unscented; Flowering time is early.

Peonies: hybrid varieties

Peony hybrids are the product of crossing two different ones Paeonia-Species. Depending on the genetic similarity, a cross between two different species can be more or less successful. In the case of peonies, combinations of varieties are different Paeonia-Types conceivable. In general, however, the goal is the combination of the traits of the parents in the offspring hybrid generation.

Garden peony hybrid

Compared to the historical, classic perennial peonies, the modern peony hybrids are usually characterized by good stability and early flowering. The latter is usually four to six weeks before the for Lactiflora- Peonies usual beginning of flowering. 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 flowers, 14 - 17 cm in diameter, unscented; Flowering time is medium.
• ‚coral charm‘ (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 time is early.
• ‚Paula Fay‘ (Paeonia x hybrida): Reaches a height of 50 cm; candy pink flower, 12 cm flower diameter, unscented; Flowering time is early.
• ‚rosette‘ (Paeonia x hybrida): Reaches a height of 70 cm; pink flower, 9 cm flower diameter, delicate fragrance; Flowering time is early.

Tree Peony Hybrids

These hybrids resulted from the cross between the noble ones Suffruticosa- Varieties with the wild species Paeonia delavayi, Paeonia lutea and Paeonia rockii. The growth of these hybrids is about three weeks behind the classic tree peonies.

• ‚BlackPirate‘ (Paeonia lutea x Paeonia delavayi): Reaches a height of 90-120 cm; dark red flower, 15 cm diameter, unscented; Flowering time is medium.
• ‚high noon‘ (Paeonia lutea x Paeonia delavayi): Reaches a height of 150 cm; yellow flower with red basal spots, 10 cm flower diameter, unscented; Flowering time is late.
• ‚Souvenir from 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.
• ‚triad‘ (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 overall flowering period of the tree peonies.

Itoh Hybrids: Intersectional Peony Hybrids

The so-called Itoh peonies are a real specialty, namely hybrids between perennial and tree 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 were 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 purple-colored eye; loose growth; reaches up to 100 cm growth height.
• ‚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 intermediate shades; semi-double flower; 70 to 80 cm growth height.
• ‚Red Double Seeding': 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.

More to the right Planting your peonies Find out here in our special article.