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The best peony for your garden depends on more than flower color: plant type, bloom time, winter conditions, and support needs all matter. The 24 cultivars below are documented examples—not a universal ranking. Check local suitability and availability before buying, then choose a mix that fits your site and desired flowering sequence.
First, choose the kind of peony
Peonies fall into several garden forms with different habits and flowering times. Knowing which kind you are choosing helps you match a cultivar to your climate, garden layout, and maintenance preferences.
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Herbaceous peonies
These familiar perennials die back to the ground in winter and return from their roots. Their flowers come in many colors and forms; large, heavily doubled blooms may need a support ring or cage.
Fern-leaf peonies
These herbaceous plants have finely divided foliage, usually grow to under 2 feet, and are among the earliest peonies to flower, according to Iowa State University Extension. Its guidance describes dark red or burgundy as the commonly available flower color.
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Tree peonies
Tree peonies are woody shrubs, not trees: their stems remain above ground through winter. They offer a broad color range and large flowers, and generally bloom before common herbaceous peonies. The relative height and bloom timing described in Iowa State’s guidance are regional observations, not guarantees for every garden.
Intersectional, or Itoh, peonies
These hybrids combine tree- and herbaceous-peony traits. They typically die back in winter and have tree-peony-like foliage and flowers. Iowa State says they begin flowering as common herbaceous peonies start to fade.
24 peony cultivars to consider
Iowa State University Extension lists the following cultivars with these color and flower-form descriptions. Its regional selection list is a useful source of examples, not proof that every cultivar will perform equally well in every climate.
Herbaceous peonies
- ‘Bowl of Beauty’ — bright pink outer petals around a white center; Japanese or anemone form.
- ‘Coral Charm’ — coral pink; semi-double flowers.
- ‘Festiva Maxima’ — white double flowers marked with red flecks.
- ‘Kansas’ — carmine-red double flowers.
- ‘Karl Rosenfield’ — dark-red double flowers.
- ‘Miss America’ — white semi-double flowers.
- ‘Pink Hawaiian’ — peachy-pink semi-double flowers.
- ‘Raspberry Sundae’ — lavender-pink petals with a cream-and-pink center; bomb form.
- ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ — pastel-pink double flowers.
- ‘Shirley Temple’ — white double flowers.
Tree peonies
- ‘Asuka’ — pink flowers.
- ‘Black Pirate’ — dark-burgundy flowers.
- ‘Companion of Serenity’ — pale-pink flowers.
- ‘Gessekai’ — white single flowers.
- ‘Hana Kisoi’ (‘Floral Rivalry’) — pink flowers.
- ‘High Noon’ — yellow flowers.
- ‘Impumon’ — bright-red flowers.
- ‘Kamata Fuji’ — lavender-pink flowers.
- ‘Pluto’ — deep red-purple flowers.
Intersectional, or Itoh, peonies
- ‘Bartzella’ — yellow double flowers with a red center flare.
- ‘Cora Louise’ — white semi-double flowers with a dark-lavender center flare.
- ‘First Arrival’ — lavender-pink semi-double flowers.
- ‘Keiko’ (‘Adored’) — lavender-pink double flowers.
- ‘Kopper Kettle’ — copper-pink semi-double flowers.
- ‘Luxuriant’ — pale-pink flowers with a dark-pink center flare.
- ‘Misaka’ (‘Beautiful Blossom’; also sold as ‘Smith Opus 1’) — orange-peach flowers that fade toward yellow.
- ‘Scarlet Heaven’ — scarlet-red semi-double flowers.
How to narrow your choices
Match the flower form to the look you want
Single flowers have a simpler, open appearance; semi-double and double flowers have progressively fuller petal arrangements. Japanese and anemone forms have prominent centers, while bomb forms have a rounded, densely petaled center. Catalog terms can vary, so use the named cultivar descriptions and photos from a reputable grower to confirm the look you prefer.
Plan a sequence rather than relying on one plant
Peonies flower for a limited period individually. North Carolina State Extension describes an herbaceous plant’s bloom as about two weeks in late spring to early summer. The University of Connecticut Extension describes overlapping type windows and estimates that a selected mix of early-, mid-, and late-season bloomers can extend the garden display to six to eight weeks. These are general regional horticultural estimates; actual timing and duration vary with cultivar, climate, and site. Check local bloom-time information when planning a sequence.
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Consider plant habit and flower weight
Tree peonies keep woody stems above ground, while herbaceous and most Itoh peonies die back in winter. Large, heavy herbaceous flowers can flop, especially in rain or wind; install a support ring or cage early enough that it does not damage emerging shoots.
Check winter conditions and local suitability
Peonies generally need winter cold to flower well, and warm areas may not provide enough chilling. North Carolina State Extension says herbaceous peonies do best in USDA zones 5–7 and can grow in zones 3–8; that is guidance for herbaceous peonies, not a guarantee for every cultivar or site. UConn Extension also notes the winter-cold requirement and exceptions. For a specific plant and location, rely on local extension advice and the grower’s cultivar-specific guidance.
Choose for the way you will use the flowers
Peonies suit borders and cut-flower gardens. If you cut stems, Purdue Extension advises leaving at least two leaves on each cut stem so the plant retains foliage.
Planting peonies for healthy growth
Choose a suitable site and soil
Give peonies full sun, fertile soil, and good drainage. Avoid waterlogged ground and spots where nearby tree or shrub roots compete strongly. Purdue Extension also recommends air circulation and some protection from wind.
Plant at the right time for your region and plant type
The right planting window depends on whether you are planting bare-root divisions or potted plants and on local conditions. The Royal Horticultural Society recommends late autumn for bare-root divisions and late spring for potted peonies. Purdue Extension recommends October for bare-root planting in Indiana; that month should not be treated as a universal date.
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Keep herbaceous buds shallow
Planting too deeply can reduce or prevent flowering. For herbaceous peonies, the Royal Horticultural Society says to cover the buds with no more than about 1 inch of soil; Purdue Extension says the uppermost buds should not be covered by more than 2 inches. These are source-specific recommendations, not identical measurements. Follow locally appropriate guidance and identify the plant type before planting: tree-peony graft placement has different instructions.
Allow space and time to establish
The Royal Horticultural Society suggests spacing peonies about 1 metre (3¼ feet) apart. Purdue Extension advises 3–4 feet. Newly transplanted plants may take two to three years to produce normal flowers, according to Purdue Extension.
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- Water regularly during dry spells in the first year, particularly when planting in spring or summer.
- Put supports in place before stems become large enough to make installation difficult.
- After flowering, retain foliage when cutting stems so the plant can continue growing.
- Remove infected plant debris in fall as a sanitation measure, as Purdue Extension advises. North Carolina State Extension notes that powdery mildew can affect many cultivars; its presence does not by itself establish a need for a particular pesticide treatment.
Common peony questions and problems
Why is my peony not flowering?
Planting depth is one important factor: buds set too deeply may produce few or no flowers. A newly transplanted peony may also need time to establish; Purdue Extension gives two to three years for normal flowering. In warm areas, inadequate winter chilling can be another constraint. Check the planting depth, plant age, local climate, and cultivar guidance before changing care.
Are ants on peony buds harmful?
No. North Carolina State Extension says ants are attracted to nectar on the buds and are harmless.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
