Peony Varieties and Care

Peonies, one of the most commonly planted species in North America are popular for their glossy green foliage and highly fragrant and massive blooms. They were a favorite in my Mom’s garden to snip and present as a gift to my Mom, as if I had anything to do with their growth and beauty. Also known as “Chinese peonies,” these herbaceous perennials are simply timeless and the perfect addition to a California landscape.

Peony Selection:

Please note that selection may vary by location and time of year

Bartzella Itoh Peony

Very large, bright yellow double blossoms with a slight red center stain stand above the lush, dark green, deeply dissected foliage. Flowers have a pleasant, slightly spicy scent. An especially vigorous plant with sturdy flower stems that do not require staking.

Belle Toulousaine Itoh Peony

Large, vibrant pink, fully double, mildly fragrant blooms on strong stems rise above a lush deep green foliage. The delightful blooms on sturdy stems that do not require staking are superb in cut flower arrangements. An excellent spring specimen for sunny gardens and shrub borders.

Bowl of Beauty Peony

Lovely fuchsia pink petals create a bowl around the pale lemon yellow center of each bloom. The stunning spring flowers are displayed on sturdy, upright stems above the lush green foliage. An excellent background plant for spring bulbs, or for use in mixed or shrub borders. A choice cut flower.

Buckeye Belle Peony

Semi-double, velvety, dark red blooms are held on sturdy stems that hold up well for use as cut flowers. The deep, rich color looks amazing when combined with yellow-flowering spring bulbs. Use as a showy spring specimen in mixed shrub borders.

Cora Louise Itoh Peony

Large, semi-double, lightly fragrant blossoms, white with striking dark lavender central flares, stand above lush, toothed foliage. An especially vigorous plant - producing up to 50 blooms in a single season; the sturdy flower stems require no staking. A wonderful addition to any spring bouquet.

Coral Charm Peony

Abundant, nostalgic, large, cup-shaped flowers emerge as a deep persimmon color and bloom out to elegant, coral-cream colored, semi-double flowers with a slight fragrance as they mature. Attractive glossy, dark green foliage with smooth edges adds a charming element to beds and borders.

Early Scout Fernleaf Peony

One of the earliest hybrid peonies to bloom! Crimson, single flowers sit atop sturdy stems and deeply dissected leaves. The rich green, fern-like foliage is inherited from its parent, Paeonia tenuifolia, and remains attractive through summer and fall.

Jan Van Leeuwen Peony

Fragrant, large, single blooms with white satin petals and contrasting large yellow centers dance atop beautiful, lush, green foliage in mid-spring. A wonderful addition to any spring bouquet. An excellent background plant for spring bulbs, or use in perennial or shrub borders.

Julia Rose Itoh Peony

Gorgeous, large, double flowers stand above the vigorous, lush, toothed, green foliage on sturdy stems that require no staking. The epitome of romance with pleasantly fragrant, slightly spicy blooms of soft apricot petals, blended reddish purple tips, and yellow centers. A wonderful addition to any spring bouquet.

Kansas Red Peony

Huge, double, carmine red blooms are displayed on the bold, erect stems of this clumping perennial. An excellent background plant for spring bulbs, or use in perennial or shrub borders. Choice cut flowers. American Peony Society award recipient.

Keiko™ Double Pink Itoh Peony

Large, semi-double to double, lightly fragrant flowers on strong stems above a compact mound of dark green foliage. Dark lavender-pink petals mature and fade to a soft pink, revealing a cluster of yellow stamens in the center. Prefers full sun to dappled shade. Hybridized by Don Smith, a leading Itoh Peony breeder.

Lady Orchid Peony

Slightly fragrant, soft lavender-pink, double blooms on a robust rounded plant of lush, green foliage. An excellent background plant for spring bulbs, or for use as a spring specimen in sunny gardens and shrub borders. A mid-season bloomer that provides superb cut flowers.

Madame Emile Debatene Double Peony

Spectacular, salmon pink, rose-shaped, double blooms are displayed on the bold, erect stems of this showy selection. An excellent background plant for spring bulbs, or for use as a spring specimen in sunny gardens and shrub borders. An exquisite and fragrant flower, excellent for a classic cut flower arrangement.

Many Happy Returns Peony

A profusion of richly decadent, warm-red, fully double flowers are displayed on the bold, erect stems of this clumping perennial, backed by attractive, waxy, green foliage. An excellent background plant for spring bulbs, or use in perennial or shrub borders. Striking color for cut flower arrangements.

Paul M. Wild Double Peony

Spectacular, ruby-red, double blooms are displayed on the sturdy erect stems of this clumping perennial. An excellent background plant for spring bulbs, or in perennial and shrub borders. A choice cut flower.

Raspberry Sundae Peony

Large, luscious, fragrant, soft pink, double flowers with sweet cream tones for classic charm and endearing springtime color. An exquisite cut flower for a spring bouquet. Robust, rounded plants of lush, green foliage work well as background for spring bulbs, or for use in beds and borders.

Singing in the Rain Itoh Peony

A rare, yet hardy hybrid with creamy yellow, semi-double blooms that become flushed with salmon coloring as they mature. The flowers have a soft, pleasing scent, and are displayed on long stems, perfect for cutting. Forms a lush mound of foliage with an abundance of blooms every spring.

Takara™ (Treasure) Itoh Peony

An exquisite, ever-changing blend of colors! Large, nearly 6 inches wide, light yellow blooms are heavily flushed with deep lavender-pink, giving them a mostly pink appearance. In time, the pink and yellow fades to pale white, with a large dark burgundy flare in the center. Hybridized by Don Smith, a leading Itoh Peony breeder.

Source: Monrovia.com

Planting & Care

Peonies thrive in organically rich, well-drained soil with a neutral pH. Water deeply, regularly during first growing season to establish extensive root system; once established, reduce frequency. Remove spent blooms for a tidy appearance. Prune foliage in fall. Needs little fertilization; an annual side dressing of organic compost is beneficial.

Source: Monrovia.com

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