Birthday
HydrangeasPeonies are among the most sought-after bouquet flowers: lush, fragrant and, sadly, seasonal. Here is what kinds of peony there are, how to choose fresh ones and make them last in a vase, what the peony means in different cultures, how to use it in a bridal bouquet and how to grow peonies in the garden.
In season choose peony bouquets, and out of season peony-style roses.
Types of peony
- Herbaceous peonies (mostly Paeonia lactiflora cultivars) — the most common in gardens and bouquets. The top growth dies back every winter.
- Tree peonies — shrubs with woody stems and huge flowers up to 20 cm across.
- Itoh hybrids — crosses of herbaceous and tree peonies, in yellow, coral and bicolour shades.
Flower forms include single, Japanese (with a pompom of petaloid stamens in the centre), semi-double, bomb and full double.
Popular varieties for bouquets
- Sarah Bernhardt — soft pink double, bred more than a century ago and still one of the best known.
- Duchesse de Nemours — white with a creamy centre and a lovely scent.
- Coral Charm — coral, fading to peach as it opens.
- Red Charm and Karl Rosenfield — rich reds.
- Bowl of Beauty — pink Japanese form with a cream centre.
Choosing peonies and making them last
- Buy peonies in bud — soft to the touch like a marshmallow, with the first coloured petals showing. Buds as hard as a pea may never open.
- Recut the stems at an angle, 2–3 cm, and place in cool water.
- Strip the leaves below the waterline.
- Change the water every 1–2 days. Ants on the buds are harmless — they're after the nectar; just rinse them off.
- For faster opening, keep peonies somewhere warm; to slow them down, keep them cool.
Peonies last 5–7 days in a vase. See our vase life ranking for comparison.
What peonies mean
In China the peony is the "king of flowers", a symbol of wealth, prosperity and a happy marriage; the city of Luoyang holds a major peony festival — see flower festivals of the world. In European tradition the peony is linked with romance and good fortune, which is why it's a favourite for weddings and anniversaries.
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Peonies in a bridal bouquet
Peonies are one of the most popular wedding flowers. They pair well with garden roses, lisianthus, ranunculus, eucalyptus and seasonal berries. Mind the season: local peonies are available in May–June, while at other times imported flowers from the Southern Hemisphere cost more. For an out-of-season wedding, a florist can suggest look-alikes such as garden roses or ranunculus. More in our bridal bouquet guide.
Peonies in the garden
- Planting. September is best. Set the growth buds just 3–5 cm deep: a peony planted too deep may not flower for years.
- Position. Sunny, with fertile soil that doesn't stay waterlogged. Peonies live for decades in one spot and dislike being moved.
- Care. Feed in spring, water in dry spells, support tall varieties. Deadhead after flowering and cut back herbaceous types in autumn.
FAQ
Why won't my peonies open?
Usually they were cut too early, when the bud was hard. A warm spot and a fresh cut help.
Can I buy peonies in winter?
Yes, but they're imported from the Southern Hemisphere or greenhouse-grown and cost more than seasonal ones.
What flowers look like peonies?
Garden roses, ranunculus, double tulips and lisianthus — see our article on flower look-alikes.
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Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
