Amy Draiss
Peonies are not the first flowers to appear in spring, but they are undoubtedly some of the most colorful – capable of developing some truly memorable medleys. These peony colors can fill beds and borders with a broad selection of shades of yellow, white, pink, purple, violet, brown, coral and orange. Whether you are looking for classic pastels or more contemporary earthy tones, there’s something for every taste.
For lovers of these quintessential cottage garden classics, the many common colors of peonies will absolutely enchant you – but where do you begin? To make your choice easier, here is a short list of some of our very favorite types of peony colors, along with a few of the most desirable cultivars you can find. From brightest whites to deepest chocolate reds, this is your chance to grow a peony rainbow!
Whether you’re after fat clouds of panicle flower heads or delicate fluffy cones, you’ll delight at the shrub selection in the Gardening Know How Shop.
Choosing the Right Peony Colors for Your Yard
With their graceful shapes and brilliant flower colors, peonies are a perfect choice for blooms in mid-spring. The broad sweep colors of peony you can grow is genuinely astonishing. Peonies are divided into herbaceous and tree peonies. Herbaceous peonies die back in the fall while tree peonies have woody stems that live through the winter. Not forgetting Itoh peonies, which fuse some of the strengths of both types, combining the gorgeous blooms of tree peonies with herbaceous stems.
Peony season generally extends from April to June, depending on the cultivar and regionality of growing. This short list will give you a preview of some of the most dynamic peony color shades and breeds you can cultivate, from palest pastels to richest reds.
1. Coral Pink – ‘Coral Magic’
The name says it all. These glorious peonies (Paeonia x lactiflora) are exceptional for peony lovers who are growing floral beds around unusual oink peonies, rich sunset tones and warm monochromatic themes.
Semi-double blooms in a stunning deep rose-coral will delight garden visitors and attract pollinators as well. The stems rise to 30 inches (72cm) high and are topped with cup-shaped, salmon-infused blossoms. Hardy in USDA zones 3-8.
2.Yellow Green – ‘Green Lotus’
A green peony is a treat in and of itself, but ‘Green Lotus’ (Paeonia x lactiflora) has a powerhouse of tonal treats for you to enjoy. You can feast your eyes on a color mix of lime green, white, shell-pink and golden.
This fragrant herbaceous green flower cultivar has green guard petals topped with snowy inner petals (that mature to pink) and gold stamens. The blossoms open super-size, at 8 inches (20cm) across. This peony is hardy through USDA zones 3-8.
3. White – ‘Angel Choir’
This stand-out species is one of the best white flowers you can grow in spring. It’s a tree peony variety, growing to 36 inches (1m) tall. This brilliant white semi-double peony has purple flares and its petals are held high above the foliage for a stunning display.
Gorgeous in traditional and contemporary gardens, both as a contrast flower for richer tones or as an element in a white themed border. Grow in USDA zones 4-8.
4. Rich Red – ‘Burma’
Lovers of red peony plants will love ‘Burma’. It’s an herbaceous peony that offers eye-catching single blooms on 32-inch (80cm) stems. These peonies are a rich red that contrasts with the bright golden centers. The flowers resemble Oriental poppies and add an elegiac burst of brilliant color to beds and borders. Grow in USDA zones 4-7.
5. Copper – ‘Kopper Kettle’
Featuring a unique mix of red, yellow and orange, this peony’s large, semi-double peony flowers are striking and unusual. ‘Kopper Kettle’ is a tough Itoh hybrid that stands 32 inches/80cm tall. It puts on quite a show in late spring, filling borders with delicate tones that seem to shift and shimmer in the sunshine.
Added to which, lovers of fall plants for autumn color can enjoy a spectacular show as this peony’s foliage turns fiery orange after summer. Grow this gorgeous peony in USDA zones 4-8.
6. Apricot – ‘Singing In The Rain’
For a color that really makes a splash, ‘Singing in the Rain’ is an Itoh peony, a cross between a tree and herbaceous breed. Its creamy blossoms are shot with apricot and salmon hues and trace elements of gold, creating a startling display in the morning sunlight.
This shrub can reach 4 feet (1.3m) tall and wide, offering as many as 50 large blossoms that are held above the foliage on strong, upright stems. These fragrant flowers can last for up to four weeks. Thrives in USDA zones 4-9.
7. Baby Pink – ‘Sarah Bernhardt’
If there is a poster child for peonies, the ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ peony (Paeonia x lactiflora) is it. This luscious pink peony, named after the famed French actress, is one of the best pink flowers you can grow and one of the most coveted peonies in the world,
This rose pink peony’s sumptuous double flowers are full and fluffy, and exactly the color of spring blossoms. Fertilize in spring and grow in full sun or partial shade to enjoy this ruffled beauty at its best. Flourishes in USDA zones 4-8.
8. Mahogany – ‘Buckeye Belle’
‘Buckeye Belle’ (Paeonia officinalis x albiflora) is one of the most popular species of peonies. Gardeners swoon over its velvety, mahogany flowers – which present with a rich chocolate red color.
These flowers are semi-doubles and held high on sturdy 30-inch (75cm) stems. Lovers of black flower types will appreciate the rich notes this peony brings to a moody or gothic garden display. These beauties carry a light, entrancing fragrance. Happy in USDA zones 4-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any blue peonies?
No. Of all of the colors of peonies, you won’t find blue types. Don’t be fooled by the cultivar ‘Blue Wave’, either. The flowers on this peony cultivar are actually pink! Fortunately, there is plenty of variety across the rest of the color spectrum.
Can peonies be purple?
Purple is a color resulting from a mix of red and blue. Since there are no blue peonies, there are no true purple peonies. However, some dark red or pink blossoms are advertised as violet or purple. You will find pink peonies with distinct lavender hues, and you will find some peonies that feature flecks of deep purple (such as the white peony ‘Angel Choir’ above).
More Gorgeous Flowering Shrub Ideas
- Why stop at peonies if you’re longing for endless sunny days filled with bobbing floral symphonies? Grow the 10 best flowering bushes in your yards, patios and potted gardens.
- There’s no need to wait for summer if you’re looking for some of the earliest and most sensational spring florals. Grow these spectacular spring flowering bushes for some of the most vibrant warm-up acts in the gardening calendar.
- Add some elegance and classic cottage garden charm to your blooming bushes! These bright white flowering shrubs are sure to ramp up the wow factor in your yard.
- If you love the fragrant allure of peonies, spare some room for roses. Browse the aromatic selection of roses in the Gardening Know How Shop for climbers, shrubs and hybrids to fill your yard with fragrance.
This article features products available from third party vendors on the Gardening Know How Shop. Keep in mind that our plant inventory is limited - so if you’re thinking of purchasing, don’t wait!
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