Paeonia (Peonies)
How to Choose Peonies, How to Grow Peonies, How to Care for Peonies, Landscaping with Peonies (Paeonia)
Peonies are a classic ingredient of the perennial border and have been cultivated for over 2000 years. 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. They do not respond well to transplanting, so choose your planting location carefully!
All about Peonies
- 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.
- The overall peony blooming season lasts six weeks and starts in spring.
- Low maintenance, peonies are long-lived (may live up to 50 years!).
- They add romance and interest to the garden from spring to fall and offer beautiful and changing foliage colors.
- Peonies are deer resistant, attractive to butterflies, and virtually pest free.
- They are divided into three main groups: herbaceous peonies, intersectional peonies, and tree peonies.
Herbaceous Peonies
- The most well-known type, they do best in hardiness zones 3 to 8 and are available in an incredible array of flower forms, colors, and fragrances. They bloom in late spring - early summer for approximately 7-10 days.
- They grow up to 2-3 ft. (60-90 cm) in a lush, bushy mound of glossy green divided foliage, which remains attractive throughout the summer until frost and often colors up in the fall.
Guide Information
Hardiness |
3 - 9
|
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 8
|
Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Paeonia - Peonies |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 2' - 7' (60cm - 210cm) |
Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden |
Compare All Paeonia - Peonies Great Plant Combination
Ideas with Paeonia - Peonies Guides with Paeonia - Peonies
Photos are courtesy of Peony's Envy, 123rf
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Guide Information
Hardiness |
3 - 9
|
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 8
|
Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Paeonia - Peonies |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 2' - 7' (60cm - 210cm) |
Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden |
Compare All Paeonia - Peonies Great Plant Combination
Ideas with Paeonia - Peonies Guides with Paeonia - Peonies