Peony
Also known as: Paeonia · Peony
13 types of peony
Anomalous Peony
also: Paeonia anomala
Siberian species — early bloom, deep pink flowers.
Brown's Peony
also: Paeonia brownii, Western Peony
Native western North American peony — nodding maroon flowers.
California Peony
also: Paeonia californica
Winter-growing native peony — dormant in summer.
Caucasian Peony
also: Paeonia mlokosewitschii, Golden Peony, Molly The Witch Peony
Pale-yellow single flowers — famously slow but prized.
Chinese Peony
also: Paeonia lactiflora
The classic garden peony — parent of most modern hybrids.
Father Delavay's Tree Peony
also: Paeonia delavayi, Maroon Tree Peony
Shrubby tree peony with maroon single flowers.
Fernleaf Peony
also: Paeonia tenuifolia
Feathery ferny foliage with early crimson flowers.
Garden Paeony (Banat)
also: Paeonia officinalis ssp. banatica
European wild ancestor of many old cottage peonies.
Moutan Peony
also: Paeonia suffruticosa, Tree Peony
Classic Chinese tree peony — huge flowers on woody stems.
Osti's Tree Peony
also: Paeonia ostii
White-flowered Chinese tree peony — used for medicinal root bark.
Rock's Peony
also: Paeonia rockii
Tree peony with dramatic dark blotches at petal bases.
Whittmann's Peony
also: Paeonia wittmanniana
Pale-yellow Caucasian species.
Woodland Peony
also: Paeonia obovata, Japanese Pink Woodland Peony
Shade-tolerant Asian species with pink single flowers.
When & where
Germination
Spacing & depth
How to plant
Consult species-specific guidance. Most benefit from good drainage, patience, and matching zone.
Grower's tip
Long-lived perennials — plant crowns shallow (eyes 1–2 in deep). Seed-grown plants take 5–7 years to first bloom.
Soil preferences
Well-drained garden soil. Native/wildflower species prefer lean soil; cutting flowers prefer richer beds.
6.0–7.0
Work 1 in of compost into beds before sowing. Skip nitrogen fertilizer on wildflowers — it favors foliage over blooms.
Watering
1 in per week during establishment, drought-tolerant once rooted for most species.
Deep, infrequent soakings at the base. Overhead water on ornamentals promotes botrytis and rust.
Overwatered: rotted crowns, mildew, floppy stems. Underwatered: small blooms, curled leaves, quick fade.
Either works — Bottom-water seed trays and young potted annuals to protect fragile stems from damping-off. Top-water established plants at the base in the morning so foliage dries by night. Avoid overhead sprinkling on open blooms.
Temperature tolerance
60–80°F (16–27°C) ideal for most annuals
50–65°F (10–18°C)
Cool-season annuals (larkspur, poppy, snapdragon) tolerate light frost; warm-season annuals (zinnia, cosmos, marigold) are frost-tender.
Container growing
Possible with the right cultivar
8–14 in (20–35 cm) wide
Compact and dwarf types do best in pots; tall cutting flowers need staking.
Succession planting
Sow cutting flowers (zinnia, cosmos, sunflower) every 3 weeks through midsummer for continuous cut stems.
Detailed harvesting
Cut in early morning when stems are turgid. For cutting varieties, harvest when the bud is just showing color and 1–2 outer petals have opened.
Post-harvest storage & preservation
Immediately re-cut stems underwater and place in clean cool water for 4 hrs before arranging. Petals can be dried on screens for potpourri or crafts.
Culinary, medicinal & other uses
Cut flowers, dried arrangements, pollinator habitat, edible garnishes (borage, nasturtium, calendula, viola).
Medicinal or traditional uses are shared for interest only — this is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before using any plant medicinally.
Seed saving
Mostly insect-pollinated (outcrossing).
For pure strains, isolate 150–800 ft or bag heads. Wildflower mixes are meant to cross freely.
Stop deadheading favorite blooms; let heads dry brown and rattling on the stem, then collect into a paper bag.
Your zone's planting calendar
Pick your USDA hardiness zone and we'll estimate the key dates for peony in your area. These are regional averages — always check your own last-frost forecast before sowing.
From your kitchen — grow peony from what you already have
Deadhead less. Let the best blooms fade and set seed on the plant — that's your next year's packet.
- 1Mark 2–3 of your favorite flowers with a bit of yarn and stop deadheading them.
- 2Wait until the seed head or pod dries fully on the plant — brown, papery, and rattling.
- 3Cut whole heads into a paper bag on a dry day; shake or rub to free seed.
- 4Sieve out chaff and store cool and dry in a labeled envelope.
Storage: 2–5 years for most flower seed.
My Peony notes
Peony seeds on hand
Track packets and loose seeds you already have. Private to your account.
Par level — leave at 0 for no alert. Anything below par shows on Seed Starting and your shopping list.
Order more seeds
Running low? Reorder from one of these seed stores.
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