Peonies bloom at Pentecost, as the name says. However, it is not that simple. While in the past mainly the pink-red-colored perennial peonies bloomed in the cottage gardens, there are now many different varieties thanks to tireless perennial nurseries. The color spectrum extends from white, to yellow, pink and red. And the timing of flowering also varies. There are early, medium and late varieties.
For these new breeds, perennial and shrub peonies were crossed. The first varieties came from Japan. These peonies bloom mid and late. A special feature is the delayed flowering. In contrast to the other species, not all flowers open at about the same time. In rare cases, some of the hybrids will form another flower in summer. They stay smaller than the shrub peonies, but do not absorb all of the foliage in winter like the shrub peonies.
The Lutea hybrids bloom early, from early to mid-May or late, in late May to early June. With these hybrids, the first yellow shrub peonies were bred, as corresponding wild species were crossed. When fully grown, these plants reach heights of about 1.20 to 1.50 m. They are then 10-12 years old.
Sorts:
The shrub peonies Suffruticosa already bloom at the end of April, making them one of the earliest peonies. Medium varieties open flowers in early May and late in mid-May. There are Japanese, Chinese, and European / American varieties.
Sorts:
Perennial Peonies
These are the most famous and oldest peonies. The peasant peony has been used since the Middle Ages Paeonia officinalis rubra plena bred. Other varieties that were then used for breeding came from China. The plants reach heights of around 60 to 100 cm and do well in the perennial bed. These peonies bloom for several weeks. In order for the perennials to stay beautiful for a long time, what has faded should be removed before the seeds start to form.Variety selection according to the time of flowering
Early (beginning to mid-May):- Athena, pink / white, unfilled
- Blushing Princess, pink, half double
- Claire de Lune, white / cream, unfilled
- Coral 'n gold, orange, unfilled
- Henry Bockstoce, dark red, filled
- Magenta Moon, purple, half filled
- Angelika Kaufmann, white, unfilled
- Ann Cousins, white / cream, filled
- Antwerp, purple, Japanese flower shape
- Balliol, dark red, unfilled
- Candy Stripe, multi-colored striped, filled
- Carol, red, filled
- Adolphe Rousseau, red, double
- Bouquet Perfect, pink, double
- Bowl of Cream, white / cream, filled
- Cheddar Cheese, multicolored / yellow, Japanese flower shape
Intersectional hybrids
For these new breeds, perennial and shrub peonies were crossed. The first varieties came from Japan. These peonies bloom mid and late. A special feature is the delayed flowering. In contrast to the other species, not all flowers open at about the same time. In rare cases, some of the hybrids will form another flower in summer. They stay smaller than the shrub peonies, but do not absorb all of the foliage in winter like the shrub peonies. Variety selection according to the time of flowering
Medium (mid May):- Ballarena de Saval, purple, unfilled
- Bartzella, yellow, half filled
- Forst Arrival, pink, half filled
- Joanna Marlene, multi-colored, half filled
- Red Double Seedling, dark red
- Scarlet Heaven, red, unfilled
- Canary Brilliants, apricot, half filled
- Cora Louise, white / cream, half filled
- Court Jester, yellow, unfilled
- Julia Rose, pink, half double
- Love Affair, white, half filled
Shrub peonies
They are also called tree peonies and come from China, where they have been bred for a very long time. They grow shrub-like and develop double or unfilled flowers. These peonies need a few years to fully bloom. They then reach a height of up to 3 m. They are divided into different categories.The Lutea hybrids bloom early, from early to mid-May or late, in late May to early June. With these hybrids, the first yellow shrub peonies were bred, as corresponding wild species were crossed. When fully grown, these plants reach heights of about 1.20 to 1.50 m. They are then 10-12 years old.
Sorts:
- Antigone, yellow, half filled, early
- Banquet, red, half filled, early
- Aphrodite, white / cream, unfilled, late
- Ariadne, apricot, half filled,late
- August Moon, yellow, half filled, late
- Black Douglas, dark red, unfilled, late
Suffruticosa
The shrub peonies Suffruticosa already bloom at the end of April, making them one of the earliest peonies. Medium varieties open flowers in early May and late in mid-May. There are Japanese, Chinese, and European / American varieties.- Duchesse de Morny, pink, half filled, early
- Hatsugarasu, dark red, half filled, middle
- Shimanishiki, colorful striped, half filled, middle
- Godaishu, white, half filled, late
- High Noon, yellow, half filled, late
- Yagumo, dark purple, half filled, late
Rockii hybrids
After the Suffruticosa, the Rockii hybrids bloom. Early varieties in early May and mid-May. The wild species Päonia rockii, native to China, was crossed for these breeds. It is very robust and shoots late. These varieties bloom mostly unfilled or half-filled in different colors and have a typical basal spot in the bloom. Rockii hybrids grow faster and more vigorously than Suffruticosa varieties and become wider with age.
- Ambrose Congrève, pink, half double, early
- Dojean, white, half filled, early
- Souvenir de Lothar Parlasca, yellow, unfilled, early
- Katrin, violet, half filled, middle
