Different Types of Peonies Flowers: Choose Best For Your Garden

Peonies are a masterpiece in any garden. Their blooms are a charming addition to any floral arrangement. These perennial flowers add grace to any beautiful arrangement. Amateurs and experts enthusiastically tend to these flowers. They come in an assortment of colours. They even have a large variety depending on the shape of the blooms. Some of the different types of peonies are:

Herbaceous Peonies

These are common garden peonies. They are compact shrub-type perennial plants. They bloom during spring and die out in late fall and are dormant during winter.

These plants only have one flowering season, but they can flourish in the same spot for 50 years. Roots need to be divided in late fall or early spring to propagate. They are a low-maintenance peonies species. Herbaceous need little water. They are naturally immune to pest infestation, and they do not require much fertiliser to grow. Their only need is well-drained soil and most of the plants need to be staked. Some species also have a strong fragrance. The different types of peonies are:

Sarah Bernhardt Peony

• They come in a light pink shade occasionally, darker flecks mark the petals. The voluminous, double blooms are its main attraction. The flowers are heavy and delicate and are about 8 inches across. These varieties of peonies are used as cut flowers and in wedding bouquets. The peonies are named after the famous French actress Sarah Bernhardt. They are planted in a sheltered location.

1. Sun: Partial shade to full
2. Size: 2-3 feet
3. Origin: Europe

Bowl of Beauty Peony:

• Among all types of peonies, they come in pink and cream bicolour. They flower in Anemone-type blossoms and have aromatic blooms. They grow early in the season, in mid-spring regardless, they bloom in late spring or during summer. It blooming of the flower depends on the temperature of the area it is planted in. It is one of the most acquired varieties to grow. These peonies have heavy ornamental foliage and are a species of tall, perennial flower.

1. Sun: Partial shade to full
2. Size: 2-3 feet
3. Origin: Japan

Karl Rosenfield Peony:

• Out of different kinds of peonies, these are a deep crimson red. They also spot a full, double boom. Their sweet-scented flowers are as big as 6 inches and they bloom early in summer. For warmer regions, they can bloom in mid or late spring. They have sturdy branches and a long vase life. So, they are used as fresh cut flowers in arrangements. They are known as soft-stemmed peonies.

1. Sun: Partial shade to full
2. Size: 2-3 feet
3. Origin: America

Pink Hawaiian Coral Peony:

• They are a subtle pink-yellow in hue. The petals are a pretty coral pink. The central petals are yellow. As the flower blossoms, the vibrant colours fade to give it a soft glow. They have semi-double blooms. This is the most attractive of the different types of peonies. Despite the name, they are found in Asia. It is an early-blooming peony. They grow during early spring or in the middle of the season. They are resilient to warmer weather. They can even withstand the cold.

1. Sun: Partial shade to full
2. Size: 2-3 feet
3. Origin: Asia

Tree Peonies:

They form a hardwood stem. So, they are also termed Woody Peonies. Unlike herbaceous peonies, they are perennial shrubs. Out of the three different types of peonies, tree peonies are known for their fragrant flowers. They also boast rich foliage. These are used for landscaping. The wood stems allow for many flowers without the need for staking. They are popularly used in arrangements or as cut flowers. They are less tolerant of the weather than the different types of peonies. These are usually native to China. The famous species are:

Renkaku Tree Peony:

Renkaku roughly translates to ‘Flight of Cranes’. These semi-double blooms are brilliant white. They spot a yellow centre. They have a deciduous wood trunk. They can grow as tall as 5 feet tall. The big flowers grow to about 4 to 5 feet across. They bloom during April and May. They are a slow-growing species out of the different types of peonies. They are found in China.

Shimadaijin Tree Peony:

The Shimadaijin peony is called the Island Minister peony. It is a conspicuous wood peony. The blooms are a vibrant purple-pink with yellow stamen. In full flush, they can grow up to 8 inches wide. They are lightly scented. It is a rare and the finest tree peony out of the different types of peonies. This type of peony is drought resistant. They bloom early in the flowering season.

The joy of Longevity Tree Peony:

They produce eye-catching double blossoms. They have light lavender petals. The inner petals spot almost black, purple flares. They are 3 to 5 feet tall. Their stamens are a warm golden and have highly fragrant 3-inch-wide blooms. They attract butterflies for pollination. They are also known as Chojuraku. They grow during the mid-season.

Itoh Peonies:

These peonies are between herbaceous and woody types of peonies. They are also referred to as Intersectional Peonies. These species of peonies take years to grow. They cannot be cultivated directly from seeds. They bloom the longest. The cycle can last up to four weeks. They usually bloom later than the herbaceous peonies. They are perennial, like herbaceous peonies. They have wide showy flowers like woody species and do not need stalking. Among the three types of peonies, they are the best to use on the exterior borders. The various varieties are:

Bartzella Itoh Peony:

• They have a large double blossom. They occur in a light summery yellow hue. The centre is slightly reddish orange. They have a prominent floral scent. They are sturdy and do not require staking. They are excellent as cut flowers for floral arrangements and with their fantastic appearance and aroma they attract butterflies. They are very low-maintenance flowering peonies.

1. Sun: Partial shade to full
2. Size: 2-3 feet
3. Origin: America

Prairie Charm Itoh Peony:

• They produce mid-size blooms. They are of semi-double type and  have layers of yellow petals. The base of the petals has reddish-orange flares. It yields a large number of blossoms in a single plant. However, they do not require staking.

1. Sun: Partial shade to full
2. Size: 2-3 feet
3. Origin: Japan

Cora Louise Itoh Peony:

• They are a very romantic species of peonies. They have frail frilly petals. They are an ivory white with a deep burgundy flare at the base. A tuft of golden stamens makes a brilliant centre. They attract butterflies due to their delicate beauty and sweet scent. It is a vigorous plant and does not require staking. It has glorious foliage when it is not in bloom.

1. Sun: Partial shade to full
2. Size: 2-3 feet
3. Origin: Asia and the Pacific

Peonies Classification on Shape

The different kinds of peonies flowers can also be classified based on the shape of their bloom:

1. Single: These peony blooms have a row of broad petals with a visible centre. They are either in a flat or a cupped shape. The different types of peonies with this build are Imperial Red, Postilion and Scarlet O’Hara.
2. Anemone: These are a group of yellow stamens surrounded by petals. They have one or two rows of broad petals. These petals curve upwards, resembling an anemone. The types of peonies flowers with this arrangement are Bowl of Beauty, Do Tell, and Miss America peonies.
3. Japanese: The flowers in Japanese bloom spot visible stamens. They have layers of ruffled, broad petals. White Sands, Golden Crown, and Island Minister tree peonies have this form.
4. Semi-double: The different types of peonies with this design are Pink Hawaiian Coral Peony, Renkaku and Shimadaijin Tree Peony. They give a traditional look. They are clustered and have a central bunch of petals. The stamen can show partially, and when the stamens and petals are mixed and called semi-double.
5. Bomb: These types have a line of broad petals circling the narrow petals. They usually are two-toned.
6. Double: This is the thickest flower arrangement. The petals are densely packed. They have a distinctive dome with a straight base. The dense inflorescence is the main attraction of the double bloom. The types of peonies with this structure are Sarah Bernadt, Karl Rosenfield and Joy of Longevity peony.

Conclusion

These are the different types of peonies. They are divided on the basis of the shrubs they grow in. They can also be classified by the structure of their bloom. We can also segregate the peony types based on their colours! You can look at the various types and decide on the variety that you want. Keep in mind the peonies take time to bloom. For these perennial flowers, a little patience goes a long way.

globalrose Member since July 11, 2023