Beloved for the beauty of their exquisite flowers and handsome foliage, which often turn shades of rust and orange in the fall, peonies require little maintenance as long as they are planted properly and establish themselves.
Peonies belong to the Paeoniaceae family, which includes 33 species of herbaceous perennials or deciduous shrubs. Native to Asia, Europe, and Western North America, they have been cultivated for over 2,000 years for the beauty of their flowers.
Flowers: The flowers are prized for their large, showy, and fragrant flowers. They come in a variety of colors, including shades of pink, red, white, yellow, and coral. The flowers have a distinct cup-like shape with many layers of petals, and their size can range from 2-12 inches (5-30 cm) in diameter.
Foliage: The lush foliage, deeply lobed and glossy green, provides a lovely backdrop to the showy blooms. In the fall, the leaves often turn a reddish or golden color before dropping for the winter.
Height/spread: Peonies can vary in height and spread depending on the species and cultivar. They typically grow up to 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 m) in height and up to 4 feet (1.2 m) wide. Tree peonies can grow up to 5 to 7 feet (1.5 to 2.1 m) in height and 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 m) wide.
Blooming season: The overall blooming season lasts six weeks and starts in late spring.
Hardiness: Peony flowers are hardy in USDA zones 3-8.
Uses: Peony flowers are a classic ingredient of the perennial border. They are versatile and can be used in a variety of landscape settings, including mixed borders, foundation plantings, and cottage gardens. Peony flowers make excellent cut flowers and are a popular choice for weddings and other special occasions.
Long-lived: Peonies are long-lived plants and can live for up to 50 years with proper care.
Deer: Deer tend to avoid peonies because they do not find them appetizing. However, in times of drought or when food is scarce, deer may resort to eating them.
Hardiness |
3 - 9 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials, Shrubs |
Genus | Paeonia |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) Fall |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Wall-Side Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage |
Hardiness |
3 - 9 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials, Shrubs |
Genus | Paeonia |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) Fall |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Wall-Side Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage |
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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!