Also known as Peony · 3k gardener saves
Paeonia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Paeonia, the genus most gardeners know as peony. We track 89 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Paeonia varieties
Of 89 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSarah Bernhardt Peony
Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt'
#2 most savedTree Peony 'Duchesse de Lorraine'
Paeonia x suffruticosa 'Duchesse de Lorraine'
#3 most savedTibetan Tree Peony
Paeonia deltoidea
Daydream Peony
Paeonia lactiflora 'Daydream'
Rozella Peony
Paeonia officinalis 'Rozella'
Festiva Maxima Peony Chinese Peony
Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima'
Philomele Peony
Paeonia lactiflora 'Philomele'
Morning Lilac Peony
Paeonia x iliacus 'Morning Lilac'
Hillary Itoh Peony
Paeonia x hybrida 'Hillary Itoh'
Duchess de Nemours Peony
Paeonia lactiflora 'Duchess de Nemours'
Bowl of Beauty Peony
Paeonia lactiflora 'Bowl of Beauty'
Julia Rose Itoh Peony
Paeonia suffruticosa 'Julia Rose'
Browse all 89 Paeonia varieties →
How to grow Paeonia
What the Paeonia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Paeonia year
- PlantAugust–October98% of varieties
Plant bare root or container stock in early spring or fall.
- FertilizeFebruary and March93% of varieties
Apply a balanced fertilizer or compost around the drip line as new growth emerges.
- StakeMarch and April73% of varieties
Install peony rings or cages early before stems grow tall and heavy
- DeadheadMay and June63% of varieties
Snip spent flowers (deadhead) to keep the shrub tidy.
- PruneOctober and November57% of varieties
Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter before new growth starts.
- Spring CleanupFebruary43% of varieties
Clear away old mulch and debris to improve air circulation and prevent fungal issues
- Winter PrepOctober38% of varieties
Cut foliage back to the ground after it yellows to prevent disease
- DivideSeptember and October33% of varieties
Divide only if absolutely necessary (flowering declines), every 10+ years
Do
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring
- Prune after flowering to shape the plant
- Water consistently during dry spells 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Refrain from fertilizing late in the season
- Don’t prune in late fall or winter
- Do not disturb roots during the growing season
What goes wrong with Paeonia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Curled, yellowing leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Thrips | Discolored or deformed flowers | Use insecticidal soap or introduce beneficial insects |
| Botrytis (gray mold) | Gray fuzzy mold on flowers and stems | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide if needed |
| Japanese beetles | Chewed leaves and flowers | Handpick or use appropriate insecticides |
| Botrytis blight | Gray mold on flowers and stems | Improve air circulation and remove affected parts |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Use fungicidal sprays and ensure proper spacing |
| Root rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Improve soil drainage and avoid overwatering |
Making more Paeonia
Division
- Dig up mature plants in early spring or fall.
- Gently separate the root clumps with a sharp knife.
- Plant divisions immediately in prepared soil.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
- Allow 6 weeks for roots to establish.
Seed
- Collect seeds after seed pods mature in late summer or fall.
- Sow seeds in well-draining soil in fall or early spring.
- Lightly cover with soil and keep moist.
- Germination may take several weeks to months.
Paeonia questions
How many types of Paeonia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 89 distinct Paeonia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 3k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Paeonia grow in?
Across its varieties, Paeonia covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Paeonia bloom?
Most Paeonia varieties bloom in late spring to early summer, late spring, mid spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Paeonia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Paeonia
Paeonia shows up in
Design with Paeonia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
