Gold Medal Peonies, AGM Peonies, Best Peonies
Favored by most gardeners for the beauty of their exquisite flowers, their delightful fragrance, and their bold foliage changing shades over the seasons, peony flowers add a dazzling splash of color to the landscape. Virtually carefree once established, they live for generations, are deer-proof, and produce some of the best cut flowers – making them one of Nature’s loveliest perennials!
However, when it comes to selecting the right peony, the task may become daunting as over 3,000 peony cultivars are available (!!!) to choose from. A good start in your selection process would be to review those of outstanding merit as acknowledged by the American Peony Society or the Royal Horticultural Society.
The American Peony Society, by way of awarding medals and certificates, has long recognized exceptional peonies. Its Gold Medal or Award of Landscape Merit rewards peony varieties selected for their beauty and ornamental value, overall appearance in the landscape and throughout the growing season, and reliable performance.
Similarly, the Royal Horticultural Society rewards plants of outstanding excellence for garden decoration that do not require highly specialized growing conditions or care and that are not particularly susceptible to any pest or disease through its Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Here is a selection of exceptional peonies acclaimed by these prestigious societies that could become the highlight of your spring garden!
| Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, A1, A2, A3 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Genus | Paeonia |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Plant of Merit |
| Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
| Attracts | Butterflies |
Pictures are courtesy of Peony's Envy, Botanik Foto
| Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, A1, A2, A3 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Genus | Paeonia |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Plant of Merit |
| Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
| Attracts | Butterflies |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
