Alphabetical Plant Listing

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

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
Not sure which Paeonia - Peonies to pick?
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