Japanese peony varieties

Japanese peonies have a single row of petals around a center of staminodes, which the American Peony Society describes as abortive or transformed stamens whose origin is still recognizable. The society notes that the form was bred to lack pollen drop. The table below compares every variety we list side by side.

Varieties
7
Height
2½–3 ft (71–91 cm)
Hardiness
USDA zones 3–8
Form

7 Herbaceous

Compare all 7 side by side

All 7 japanese peony varieties

A Do Tell peony flower up close on the plant Do Tell Japanese-type peony by Auten (1946), early, about 32 inches tall. Late spring (estimated) 2½ ft (81 cm)Herbaceous
A Gay Paree peony flower up close on the plant Gay Paree Japanese-type peony by Auten (1933), midseason, about 33 inches tall. Late spring, Early summer (estimated) 3 ft (84 cm)Herbaceous
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. Late spring, Early summer (estimated) 2½ ft (71 cm)Herbaceous
A Madame Butterfly peony flower up close on the plant Madame Butterfly Japanese-type peony by Franklin (1933), midseason, about 34 inches tall. Late spring, Early summer (estimated) 3 ft (86 cm)Herbaceous
A Nippon Beauty peony flower up close on the plant Nippon Beauty Japanese-type peony by Auten (1927), late, about 32 inches tall. Early summer (estimated) 2½ ft (81 cm)Herbaceous
A Sword Dance peony flower up close on the plant Sword Dance Japanese-type peony by Auten (1933), late, about 36 inches tall. Early summer (estimated) 3 ft (91 cm)Herbaceous
A Walter Mains peony flower up close on the plant Walter Mains Japanese-type peony by Mains (1957), midseason, about 33 inches tall. Late spring, Early summer (estimated) 3 ft (84 cm)Herbaceous

How to choose

  1. Check the Color column for the center as well as the petals. Brooks Gardens describes Japanese peonies as having a tufted center that is often in a contrasting color.

  2. Look at the bloom time to spread flowering across the peony season, and compare it with any single or double peonies already in the bed.

  3. Compare the zones in the Hardiness column with your own before ordering.

Compare side by side

Color Sunlight
Do Tell Herbaceous 2½ ft (81 cm) 3–8 (estimated) Late spring (estimated) Full sun (estimated)
Gay Paree Herbaceous 3 ft (84 cm) 3–8 (estimated) Late spring, Early summer (estimated) Full sun (estimated)
Jan van Leeuwen Herbaceous 2½ ft (71 cm) 3–8 (estimated) Late spring, Early summer (estimated) Full sun (estimated)
Madame Butterfly Herbaceous 3 ft (86 cm) 3–8 (estimated) Late spring, Early summer (estimated) Full sun (estimated)
Nippon Beauty Herbaceous 2½ ft (81 cm) 3–8 (estimated) Early summer (estimated) Full sun (estimated)
Sword Dance Herbaceous 3 ft (91 cm) 3–8 (estimated) Early summer (estimated) Full sun (estimated)
Walter Mains Herbaceous 3 ft (84 cm) 3–8 (estimated) Late spring, Early summer (estimated) Full sun (estimated)

Values marked like this (estimated) are estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a single and a Japanese peony?

The American Peony Society defines singles as having pollen-bearing stamens, while in Japanese peonies the stamens are transformed into staminodes.

Do Japanese peonies hold up in wind and rain?

Brooks Gardens, a peony grower, writes that many Japanese style peonies stand up well through wind and rain.

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