Types of peonies

Peonies fall into three main groups, according to the University of Missouri: herbaceous, tree and intersectional (Itoh). Use the filters to narrow the list by type, color and flower form, then open a variety for its full record and where to buy.

All peonies

49 peony varieties

A Bartzella peony flower up close on the plant Bartzella Itoh peony with semi-double to double lemon yellow flowers and a red center, 34 inches tall, midseason. Itoh (intersectional)Early summerMedium height
A Black Pirate peony flower up close on the plant Black Pirate Lutea hybrid tree peony with single dark red satiny flowers, bred by Saunders in 1935. TreeLate springMedium height
A Bowl of Beauty peony flower up close on the plant Bowl of Beauty Anemone-form herbaceous peony with pink petals cupping a pale yellow center. HerbaceousLate springMedium height
A Buckeye Belle peony flower up close on the plant Buckeye Belle Semi-double herbaceous hybrid peony in very dark red with golden stamens, early season. HerbaceousLate springMedium height
A Canary Brilliants peony flower up close on the plant Canary Brilliants Itoh peony with semi-double to double creamy yellow flowers, apricot at the center, 28 inches tall, midseason. Itoh (intersectional)Early summerMedium height
A Cora Louise peony flower up close on the plant Cora Louise Itoh peony with semi-double white flowers and deep lavender central flares, 24 inches tall, midseason. Itoh (intersectional)Early summerMedium height
A Coral 'n Gold peony flower up close on the plant Coral 'n Gold Single hybrid peony with deep coral cups and golden stamens, midseason, about 34 inches tall. HerbaceousLate springMedium height
A Coral Charm peony flower up close on the plant Coral Charm Semi-double herbaceous hybrid peony, deep coral fading to cream, early midseason, APS Gold Medal 1986. HerbaceousLate springMedium height
A Coral Magic peony flower up close on the plant Coral Magic Semi-double herbaceous hybrid peony in deep rose coral, early season, about 30 inches tall. HerbaceousLate springMedium height
A Coral Sunset peony flower up close on the plant Coral Sunset Semi-double herbaceous hybrid peony, coral fading to ivory, early season, APS Gold Medal 2003. HerbaceousLate springMedium height
A Coral Supreme peony flower up close on the plant Coral Supreme Semi-double herbaceous hybrid peony in salmon coral pink with a golden center, early season. HerbaceousEarly summerTall
A Do Tell peony flower up close on the plant Do Tell Japanese-type peony by Auten (1946), early, about 32 inches tall. HerbaceousLate springMedium height
A Dr. Alexander Fleming peony flower up close on the plant Dr. Alexander Fleming Herbaceous peony with 6-inch deep rose to salmon pink double flowers and many side buds. HerbaceousLate springMedium height
A Duchess de Nemours peony flower up close on the plant Duchess de Nemours Heirloom herbaceous peony with double white flowers on sturdy 34-inch stems, RHS AGM. HerbaceousLate springMedium height
A Festiva Maxima peony flower up close on the plant Festiva Maxima Heirloom herbaceous peony with creamy white double flowers flecked with crimson, 34 inches tall. HerbaceousLate springMedium height
A First Arrival peony flower up close on the plant First Arrival Early Itoh peony with semi-double pink to lavender flowers and red flares, 28 inches tall. Itoh (intersectional)Late springMedium height
A Garden Treasure peony flower up close on the plant Garden Treasure Itoh peony with semi-double yellow flowers and muted red flares, 22 to 24 inches tall, mid to late season. Itoh (intersectional)Early summerCompact
A Gardenia peony flower up close on the plant Gardenia Herbaceous peony with double blush white flowers and golden stamens in the center, Lins 1949. HerbaceousLate springMedium height
A Gay Paree peony flower up close on the plant Gay Paree Japanese-type peony by Auten (1933), midseason, about 33 inches tall. HerbaceousLate springMedium height
A Hanakisoi peony flower up close on the plant Hanakisoi Japanese tree peony with semi-double pink flowers about 8 inches across, grown in Japan before 1910. TreeMid springTall
A High Noon peony flower up close on the plant High Noon Tree peony with semi-double lemon yellow flowers flared raspberry at the base, blooming in May. TreeLate springTall
A Hillary peony flower up close on the plant Hillary Itoh peony with semi-double creamy red flowers fading to cream around a darker center, 24 to 30 inches tall. Itoh (intersectional)Early summerMedium height
A Jan van Leeuwen peony flower up close on the plant Jan van Leeuwen Japanese-type peony by van Leeuwen (1928), midseason, about 28 inches tall. HerbaceousLate springMedium height
A Julia Rose peony flower up close on the plant Julia Rose Itoh peony with single to semi-double flowers that open cherry red and fade to orange, then yellow. 28 inches tall. Itoh (intersectional)Early summerMedium height
A Kansas peony flower up close on the plant Kansas Rose-type double lactiflora peony in watermelon red, midseason, APS Gold Medal 1957. HerbaceousLate springTall
A Karl Rosenfield peony flower up close on the plant Karl Rosenfield Double red lactiflora peony from 1908, midseason bloom, 30 to 36 inches tall. HerbaceousLate springMedium height
A Keiko peony flower up close on the plant Keiko Itoh peony with double flowers opening lavender pink and maturing to pale pink, 30 inches tall. Itoh (intersectional)Late springMedium height
A Kinkaku peony flower up close on the plant Kinkaku Tree peony with full yellow flowers edged in pink, up to 8 inches across, blooming May to June. TreeLate springTall
A Lemon Chiffon peony flower up close on the plant Lemon Chiffon Herbaceous hybrid peony with lemon yellow double flowers on 32 inch stems, bred by D.L. Reath in 1981. HerbaceousEarly summerMedium height
A Madame Butterfly peony flower up close on the plant Madame Butterfly Japanese-type peony by Franklin (1933), midseason, about 34 inches tall. HerbaceousLate springMedium height
A Monsieur Jules Elie peony flower up close on the plant Monsieur Jules Elie Heirloom herbaceous peony with light rose pink bomb double flowers, Crousse 1888. HerbaceousLate springTall
A Morning Lilac peony flower up close on the plant Morning Lilac Early Itoh peony with single to semi-double fuchsia purple flowers, 28 inches tall. Itoh (intersectional)Late springMedium height
A Nippon Beauty peony flower up close on the plant Nippon Beauty Japanese-type peony by Auten (1927), late, about 32 inches tall. HerbaceousEarly summerMedium height
A Old Faithful peony flower up close on the plant Old Faithful Double dark velvet red herbaceous hybrid peony, midseason, APS Gold Medal 1997. HerbaceousLate springTall
A Paul M. Wild peony flower up close on the plant Paul M. Wild Fully double ruby red lactiflora peony, late midseason, 32 to 36 inches tall. HerbaceousEarly summerMedium height
A Pink Hawaiian Coral peony flower up close on the plant Pink Hawaiian Coral Semi-double coral herbaceous hybrid peony by Roy Klehm, early season, APS Gold Medal 2000. HerbaceousLate springMedium height
A Primevère peony flower up close on the plant Primevère Anemone form lactiflora peony from Lemoine, 1907, with white guards and a canary yellow center. HerbaceousLate springTall
A Raspberry Sundae peony flower up close on the plant Raspberry Sundae Herbaceous peony with double cream and raspberry pink flowers on 36-inch stems, Klehm 1968. HerbaceousLate springTall
A Red Charm peony flower up close on the plant Red Charm Bomb-type double herbaceous hybrid peony in deep red, early season, APS Gold Medal 1956. HerbaceousLate springMedium height
A Renkaku peony flower up close on the plant Renkaku Japanese tree peony with semi-double pure white flowers about 8 inches across, grown since at least 1889. TreeMid springTall
A Sarah Bernhardt peony flower up close on the plant Sarah Bernhardt Herbaceous peony with plush pale pink double flowers on 36-inch stems, introduced in 1906. HerbaceousLate springTall
A Scarlet Heaven peony flower up close on the plant Scarlet Heaven Itoh peony with single bright red flowers and yellow stamens, 28 inches tall, midseason. Itoh (intersectional)Early summerMedium height
A Shima-Nishiki peony flower up close on the plant Shima-Nishiki Japanese tree peony with semi-double red flowers irregularly striped white around yellow stamens. TreeMid springTall
A Shimadaijin peony flower up close on the plant Shimadaijin Japanese tree peony with semi-double reddish purple flowers about 8 inches across and golden stamens. TreeMid springTall
A Shirley Temple peony flower up close on the plant Shirley Temple Herbaceous peony with fully double light rose blooms that fade to white, 30 to 32 inches tall. HerbaceousLate springMedium height
A Sorbet peony flower up close on the plant Sorbet Herbaceous peony with layered candy pink and cream double flowers on strong 36-inch stems. HerbaceousLate springTall
A Sword Dance peony flower up close on the plant Sword Dance Japanese-type peony by Auten (1933), late, about 36 inches tall. HerbaceousEarly summerTall
A Taiyo peony flower up close on the plant Taiyo Japanese tree peony with semi-double bright red flowers and yellow centers, blooming early in the season. TreeMid springTall
A Walter Mains peony flower up close on the plant Walter Mains Japanese-type peony by Mains (1957), midseason, about 33 inches tall. HerbaceousLate springMedium height

How to choose

  1. Pick a type for how the plant grows. Herbaceous peonies die back to the ground, tree peonies keep woody stems all year, and Itoh peonies are crosses of the two.

  2. Check the flower form. Iowa State Extension says many peonies, especially the doubles, must be staked to keep them from flopping.

  3. Compare the zones in each record with your own. Wisconsin Horticulture gives zones 3 to 8 for peonies.

Frequently asked questions

How deep should peonies be planted?

Wisconsin Horticulture advises setting the buds 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface and says peonies often fail to bloom well when they sit deeper. Grafted tree peonies are the exception: Peony's Envy plants the graft six inches deep.

Do peonies need ants to bloom?

No. The University of Missouri states that ants are not necessary for peony flowers to open.

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