8 Weeks of Bloom

The Main Groups

In Order of Bloom:

1. WOODLAND Peonies

2. TREE Peonies (peak typically around Mother's Day)

3. HERBACEOUS Peonies (peak typically around Memorial Day)

4. INTERSECTIONAL Peonies

By growing peonies from each of these four groups, your peony garden will bloom for up to eight weeks, from early to late spring. Cooler weather will delay and prolong the bloom, warmer will accelerate and shorten the bloom. The exact timing will depend on where you are located. The times listed in the graphic are approximate for our location in Bernardsville, New Jersey. There are also seasonal variables that can cause the blooms to shift by several days or even a week.

The Subgroups

Two of the four main groups can be further subdivided by their hybridization and unique characteristics.

SUBCATEGORIES:

• Tree

  • Suffruticosa

  • Gansu

  • Lutea

• Herbaceous

  • Fern Leaf

  • Coral Hybrids

  • True Red Hybrids

  • Lactiflora Peonies

See the section below for explanations of all of these categories and subcategories

Weeks 1 & 2 - Woodland Peonies

The first peonies to bloom are Woodland Peonies. As noted above, woodland peonies grow in the shade. Woodland peonies are understory plants, and they typically leaf out and bloom early in the season, photosynthesizing as much as possible before leaves emerge on deciduous trees each spring and block out the sun. This characteristic leads to an early bloom time for woodland peonies.

Weeks 2 & 3 - Suffruticosa Tree Peonies

First to bloom is the Suffruticosa group of tree peonies. Originating from the Central Plains of China, Suffruticosa is one of the largest and most genetically-diverse classifications of tree peonies. Colors bloom in all varieties of magenta, from white and pink to a deep maroon (yellows, oranges, and true reds are absent from this group). Though the chrysanthemum form dominates, flower form ranges from single to bomb. The leaves range in shape from medium to round/orbicular, and they vary tremendously in leaf color. Fragrance dominates in this group.

Weeks 3 & 4 - Gansu Tree Peonies (AKA Rockii)

The Gansu group of tree peonies is the next to bloom. This group of peonies is a subset of the Suffruticosa group, distinguished by a purple flare at the center of each flower petal. Originally from the Gansu region of China, these plants are also referred to as Rockii peonies, as Joseph Rock helped make them famous outside of China. These plants are fast-growing for tree peonies, exceptionally hardy, and grow up to 7 feet tall. This group has thin billowy leaves that give a more informal appearance. They tend to cross-pollinate and produce wonderful seeds that can be grown into new cultivars. Peony’s Envy boasts a large collection of Gansu tree peonies.

Weeks 3 & 4 - Yellow Tree Peonies (Lutea Hybrids)

Last of the tree peonies to bloom is the Lutea group, often overlapping with the bloom period of herbaceous peonies. Sometimes referred to as Delavayi, this group is a Tibetan species that has a wide variety of yellows, bronzes, and oranges.

Of special note is that lutea hybrids are the main tree peony group that has been used to create intersectional peony hybrids-intersectional peonies have inherited the wonderful colors of the lutea hybrids.

Weeks 4 & 5 - Fern Leaf Herbaceous Peonies (Tenuifolia Hybrids)

The herbaceous species Tenuifolia, commonly known as the fernleaf peonies, have vibrant red single flowers, slender fern-like leaves, short statures, and earliest bloom times. Tenuifolia is native to southeast Europe, and thrives in rock gardens, where drainage is high. Tenuifolia cross with Lactiflora produce fun hybrids. The leaves are less dissected than the Tenuifolia species, but remain deeply cut and add interest. Stems are strong and flowers are bright on these hybrids. Cultivars to look for include Early Scout and Merry Mayshine.

Weeks 4 & 5 - Coral Herbaceous (Peregrina Hybrids)

Another early-blooming group of hybrids is the coral group, a special subset of herbaceous peonies that is a hybrid between Peregrina & Lactiflora. Their sturdy stems make them both excellent cut flowers and garden plants, as they remain upright without staking. Perfect for a southern garden, early-blooming, wonderful to plant en masse. Two Cultivars to look for include Coral Charm and Coral sunset. Once the flowers open, they fade dramatically, making this a wonderful selection for en-masse planting. The entire colorway presents simultaneously as this group blooms.

Weeks 4 & 5 - True Red Herbaceous (Officinalis Hybrids)

True red herbaceous peonies are rare. Oftentimes, you think you have found a true red, but it turns out to be magenta! However, a wonderful set of true-red herbaceous hybrids does exist. They tend to be early- to mid-blooming. Some notable cultivars to look for include Red Charm, Henry Bockstoce, Many Happy Returns, and Red Grace.

Weeks 5, 6 & 7 - Classic Herbaceous Peonies (Lactiflora Peonies)

The Lactiflora group is both the latest blooming and the most prolific classification of herbaceous peonies. These are the show-stopping, classic, old fashioned, fragrant, and incredibly floriferous herbaceous cultivars which, as a species, boast up to five flowers per stem. They create luscious, multi petaled blousy blooms that are known as quintessential peonies. With varying degrees of magenta pigment, Lactiflora peonies bloom in colors ranging from snow white to deep burgundy. This allows for easy garden design, as the colors of different cultivars blend effortlessly without clashing, since true reds, corals, and yellows don’t present. Our Grandma Peony Pack in our online peony catalog includes only the pinks & whites in this group, and our Cut Flower Pack contains the white, pinks and magentas. Cultivars in both packs make fabulous cut flowers and give that classic look. Their fragrance will bring back memories of childhood.

Weeks 7 & 8 - Intersectional Peonies (AKA Itoh)

Intersectional Peonies extend the peony bloom, flowering alongside mid- to late-blooming herbaceous peonies. Not all the buds open at once. Instead, they tend to have 2 or 3 flushes of flowers, with waves of bloom that last for 2 to 3 weeks. It is not uncommon to have a seed pod forming on a plant that still has buds waiting to open. These plants are not fertile, and therefore will not produce viable seeds. They provide the much-loved yellow color that is rare in herbaceous peonies. Kathleen’s favorite is Don Hollinsworth’s creation, the Garden Treasure cultivar.