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    Home » Decorate

    Growing Peonies - A Favorite Garden Flowering Perennial

    June 1, 2014 by Patti Estep 6 Comments

    Single flower peonies

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

    Pink garden peony plant in bloom in the garden.

    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.

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    Itoh peony just beginning to open.

    Growing Peonies in the Garden

    Why I love Peony Plants

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

    Peony Flower Tip: Did you know that peonies can last in full bloom for up to ten days in a vase?  Pick them in the bud stage, wrap all but the ends of the stem in plastic, and place them in the refrigerator. They will keep for a month.

    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 different types of peonies, Herbaceous, Tree, and Itoh or Intersectional.

    Double pink peony flower on the shrub.

    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 peonies. 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 Sarah Bernhardt shown above. It's large and very fragrant. Similarly, Dr. Alexander Flemming is another beautiful fragrant classic peony to grow in your garden.

    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 trimming to prop up the stems.

    Single peony bloom

    Herbaceous peonies also come in several varieties. Most are double peony flowers  However, they also come in single blooms (above), semi-double and bomb doubles. In addition, the range of color, fragrance, and shape is extensive.

    Dark Red Tree Peony

    Tree Peonies

    The tree peony is more of a shrub than a tree.  It grows about four to five feet tall and has very large blooms. 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 peony blooms.

    Itoh – Intersectional

    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.

    A peony bud with ants crawling.
    Ants love the nectar on peonies

    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.

    Peony fun facts.
    Peony shrub division roots.

    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) to each section you divide. 

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

    Single pink peony shrub.

    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 do.

    Patti signature

    P.S. If you love growing peonies then you may also love some of the crafts I have made with them. I've made a Peony Shadow Box, a Dried Peony Wreath with dried peonies, and a super easy Artificial Spring Peony Wreath for the front door.

     

    Click Here to Save to Pinterest!

    Peony collage including Itoh, old fashioned garden pink peonies, a dark red tree peony and single petal peonies.
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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lori Benefield

      October 19, 2017 at 7:50 am

      I love peonies, I've never seen them here on the Gulf Coast, in Texas. Is it to hot here for them? I am originally from Nebraska and miss having them.Azaleas is what everyone grows here, not the same. Sincerely, Lori Ann
      In Texas.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 19, 2017 at 8:09 am

        Hi Lori,

        I do believe that peonies are harder to grow in the south. I've read that they need a period of cold weather to bloom properly. That being said many to grow them in the south. Here's an article that may help. http://www.hollingsworthpeonies.com/growing_peonies_in_the_deep_south_revisted

        Reply
    2. Rhiana (Fellow SITS)

      June 04, 2014 at 11:34 pm

      Interesting! I couldn't grow anything to save my life but I love enjoying things other people grow.

      Reply
      • Patti

        June 05, 2014 at 6:46 am

        Rhiana,
        Thanks for stopping by. Come back again to enjoy a virtual garden and if you want to know any tips for easy casual gardening. I'll let you in on a secret. Everyone loses plants. I lost quite a few from the bad winter and I seem to lose a couple every year. Does that stop me, no. So maybe you are someone who has "killed" a plant in the past and thinks they can't grow anything but I'm sure you could. So glad you visited.
        Patti

        Reply
    3. Melissa @ Completely Eclipsed

      June 04, 2014 at 7:04 pm

      Stopping by from SITS. I love peonies too. I've been meaning to start a flower garden. I've always wanted one, but I grew up in the city and didn't have any grass or backyard, but now that I live in the burbs I have plenty of backyard space and don't know what to do with it!

      Reply
      • Patti

        June 04, 2014 at 7:14 pm

        It's really pretty easy. I'm not an expert but have been growing flowers for a long time. You'll find what works for you. Let me know if I can be of any help. Thanks for stopping by.

        Reply

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