Peony Paeonia

Peonies are woody, semi-woody or herbaceous perennials in the peony family (Paeoniaceae), often planted for their very large, showy flowers. Some cultivars are fragrant. Most species originate in Asia, but some species are found in Europe and around the Mediterranean Basin. Two species (not in cultivation) are native to western North America. Paeonia is the classical Greek name for peony, derived from Paean, the physician to the gods of ancient Greek mythology. It may allude to the medicinal properties ascribed to the genus.

Peonies grow well in the mountains and cooler regions of the Piedmont but languish in warm areas where their chilling requirement is difficult to meet. They do best in zones 5–7 but can grow in zones 3–8. If you are in a warm area, plant low-chill types, do not plant the crowns more than one inch deep, and do not apply mulch in the winter, as it can act like an insulating blanket. Overly shaded sites can inhibit flowering. Peonies do well in full sun to light shade and prefer deep, fertile soils that are well-drained. Locate them in an area that gets good air circulation, not up against a home or a wall. They like some afternoon shade and will require quite a bit of water in the early part of the growing season to establish their leaves and flower buds. They can take quite a while to establish and often will not produce flowers for the first year or two after transplanting. Once established, however, plants can live for decades. Peonies are outcompeted by tree roots when planted close to trees. Each plant will bloom for about two weeks in the late spring to early summer, so planting a variety of peonies with staggered bloom times will help extend the season. They can be divided in the fall, which is also the best time to plant bare-root crowns purchased from nurseries. Plants may require support for large, double flowers, especially if they become wet with rain. The foliage remains attractive through the summer until fall. Powdery mildew can affect many cultivars; remove and destroy dead, diseased leaves. Ants may be present on flower buds, but they are totally harmless. Shake flowers to dislodge insects before bringing flowers inside. 

There are three general classes of peonies: Herbaceous peonies die back completely during the winter. Growers generally classify herbaceous peonies as either cultivars of Paeonia lactiflora or herbaceous hybrids, which are those that involve additional species. Woody peonies are deciduous shrubs with woody stems. Itoh hybrids (hybrids between woody and herbaceous peonies) are deciduous and have short woody stems that bear new leaves in spring. Older herbaceous cultivars (many from the 19th and early 20th Centuries are still available) often have weak stems and poor floral carriage. Newer cultivars, especially those having the Award of Landscape Merit (ALM) from the American Peony Society, often surpass the old cultivars. 

Herbaceous Lactiflora cultivars for Zone 8 (or colder) include the following:

White flowers: 'Baroness Schroeder', 'Miss America', 'Duchesse de Nemours', 'Festiva Maxima', and 'Shirley Temple'.

Pink flowers: 'Felix Crousse', 'Sarah Bernhardt', 'Karl Rosenfield', 'Kansas' and 'Monsieur Jules Elie'.

Red flowers: ‘Scarlett O’Hara’ (ALM), ‘The Mackinac Grand’ (ALM)

Herbaceous Hybrids for Zone 8 (or colder) include:

Red flowers: 'Buckeye Belle' (ALM), 'Red Charm' and 'Old Faithful' (ALM).

Coral pink flowers: 'Flame', 'Soft Salmon Saucer', 'Pink Hawaiian Coral' (ALM), 'Coral Charm' and 'Coral Sunset' (ALM).

Itoh cultivars for Zone 8 or colder include:

Yellow flowers: ‘Bartzella’ (ALM), ‘Canary Brilliants’ (ALM)

Often used as a specimen plant, in massing, and as cut flowers. Cultivars with single flowers and masses of pollen can be grown in pollinator gardens. Woody peonies and Itoh hybrids are good choices for Asian gardens, while smaller cultivars of herbaceous peonies are suitable for rock gardens.

Quick ID Hints:

• Herbs with gigantic flowers of various colors
• Flowers are multi-petaled, with many stamens and 3 or more separate carpels.
• Leaves are pinnately or ternately compound.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Good air circulation discourages fungal diseases, but powdery mildew can disfigure foliage in the autumn. An unidentified bud-boring insect (probably a moth larva) is present in the NC and may destroy some flower buds. The plants are shunned by deer.