White peony varieties

This page covers peonies whose flowers are recorded as white, across the herbaceous, tree and Itoh groups. The table below compares every variety we list side by side.

Varieties
11
Height
2–7 ft (61–213 cm)
Hardiness
USDA zones 3–9
Form

8 Herbaceous

2 Tree

1 Itoh (intersectional)

Compare all 11 side by side

All 11 white peony varieties

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. Early summer2 ft (61 cm)Itoh (intersectional)
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 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. Late spring, Early summer3 ft (86 cm)Herbaceous
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. Late spring, Early summer3 ft (86 cm)Herbaceous
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. Late spring, Early summer3 ft (86 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 Primevère peony flower up close on the plant Primevère Anemone form lactiflora peony from Lemoine, 1907, with white guards and a canary yellow center. Late spring, Early summer3 ft (91 cm)Herbaceous
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. Mid spring (estimated) 3–7 ft (91–213 cm)Tree
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. Mid spring (estimated) 3–6 ft (91–183 cm)Tree
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. Late spring2½ ft (76–81 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 Type column first. Tree, Itoh and herbaceous peonies differ in how they grow and how you cut them back.

  2. Look at the flower form. Iowa State Extension says many peonies, especially the doubles, need staking so the blooms do not flop.

  3. Compare the zones in the table with your garden.

Compare side by side

Color Sunlight
Cora Louise Itoh (intersectional) 2 ft (61 cm) 4–8 Early summer Full sun
Do Tell Herbaceous 2½ ft (81 cm) 3–8 (estimated) Late spring (estimated) Full sun (estimated)
Duchess de Nemours Herbaceous 3 ft (86 cm) 3–8 Late spring, Early summer Full sun
Festiva Maxima Herbaceous 3 ft (86 cm) 3–8 Late spring, Early summer Full sun
Gardenia Herbaceous 3 ft (86 cm) 3–8 Late spring, Early summer Full sun
Jan van Leeuwen Herbaceous 2½ ft (71 cm) 3–8 (estimated) Late spring, Early summer (estimated) Full sun (estimated)
Primevère Herbaceous 3 ft (91 cm) 4–8 Late spring, Early summer Full sun
Renkaku Tree 3–7 ft (91–213 cm) 4–7 Mid spring (estimated) Full sun, Part shade
Shima-Nishiki Tree 3–6 ft (91–183 cm) 4–9 Mid spring (estimated) Full sun, Part shade
Shirley Temple Herbaceous 2½ ft (76–81 cm) 3–8 Late spring Full sun, Part shade
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

When is the best time to plant peonies?

Iowa State Extension names September as the best month to divide and plant peonies in Iowa. Wisconsin Horticulture recommends September to October for transplanting.

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