Type of Peonies

Learn about the different types of peonies, such as tree peonies and Itoh peonies, their history, and basic care.

 Hands down, the peony is my all-time favorite flower. I used to say that I could not pick a favorite, and there are several flowers that I really love. However, peony plants are definitely my favorite, and are, in my opinion, the finest of all garden flowers.

Crafting with Peonies: Dried Peony Wreath.....Peony Shadow Box.....Making Floral Sachets

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Growing Peonies in the Garden

Why I Love Peony Plants

• They are truly beautiful and range in color from white, yellow, shades of pink, to deep, dark red.
• They have been around for thousands of years.
• Many peonies are highly fragrant, with very large flowers, making for a fabulous cut flower for floral arrangements.
• Once established, they grow effortlessly, coming back to the garden year after year.

Peony History

Peonies are one of the oldest garden flowers in history and have been cultivated in China for over 4,000 years.  Native to Asia, they were first prized for their medicinal value.

There are several different stories about how the peony got its name. They all seem to center around a physician named Paeon, who helped the gods with the use of many plants, including the peony.

Types of Peony Plants

There are three main types of peonies: Herbaceous, Tree, and Itoh or Intersectional.

Herbaceous Peonies

Herbaceous peonies are the most common. They are the ones your grandmother probably had in her garden. Most of my peonies are herbaceous perennials. They die back to the ground every year, come up in the springtime, and usually flower from May through mid-June. 

One of my favorites is the Sarah Bernhardt peony, shown above. The flowers are soft pink, large double blossoms, and fragrant.  Similarly, Dr. Alexander Fleming is another beautiful, classic peony with fragrant blooms.

The biggest trouble with growing these types of peonies is the way they tend to flop over when they are fully in bloom. This is especially true during the springtime when the wind and rain cause havoc. Many people use special garden supports for the problem. You can also use broken branches and other garden trimmings to prop up the stems.

Herbaceous peonies also come in several varieties. Most are double peony flowers among glossy, dark green leaves. However, they also come in single blooms, with a single row of petals and tufts of stamens in the centers (shown above). Some peony varieties are considered semi-double or bomb doubles. In addition, the range of color, fragrance, and shape is extensive.

Tree Peonies

The tree peony is more of a shrub with woody stems than a tree.  It grows about four to five feet tall and has very large blooms. Tree peonies offer both single and double blooms, depending on the cultivar. This one is the first to bloom in my garden, as early as April. The blooms only last a couple of weeks, but the foliage stays pretty all season long.

Itoh – Intersectional Peonies

The Itoh or Intersectional peony is relatively new.  It’s a hybrid between the herbaceous peony and the tree peony. The result is a plant that is sturdy, with large blooms for about a month. This one also dies back to the ground each year.

If you love cut peonies but are worried about bringing ants into your home, read this.

Ants are attracted to peonies for their nectar. They do not hurt the plant, but they will protect it from other bud-eating insects. If you are worried about bringing ants into your home, you can try one of two methods.

Cut the flowers when they are still in bud form but with the color showing, at the marshmallow (soft) stage. This way, you can spray or wipe off the ants easily.

Secondly, if they are already in full bloom, you can prepare a bowl of water with a tiny bit of dish soap. Gently hold the flower by the stem and swish it in the water to knock off any ants.

Dividing Peonies

They really hate to be divided, but if you must, do so in early fall. Make sure there are a couple of good eyes (small pink tips) in each section you divide. 

Don’t plant the divisions too deep – just enough to keep the eyes slightly visible.

If you haven't tried them, I can assure you that growing peonies is a very rewarding option for your flower garden. If you already have a couple, then you just may want to add a few more. I know I always do.