Types of Peonies: 3 Main Types, Flower Forms & 25 Popular Varieties 

Peonies are lush, petaled, large flowers that have delicate stems and are often known for their fragrance and beautiful display. The flowers usually bloom in spring and summer. These are some of the oldest perennials in cultivation, and it is native to Asia, Europe, and North America. Peonies can be classified into 3 types: herbaceous, tree, and IToh peonies.  

Come take a look at the different types of peonies, different peony flower shapes, and 25 popular varieties of peonies. 

Quick Answer 

There are 3 types of peonies, that includes herbaceous that has small leaves and weak stems and bloom in spring and die back in fall, then comes tree peonies that has large leaves with strong stems and bloom in early season; and, lastly, intersectional hybrid Itoh peonies, it has large leaves with strong stems.

What Are the 3 Main Types of Peonies?

Peony flowers have a large number of varieties. These can be classified mainly into 3 types of peonies that are; Herbaceous peonies, which have soft, green stems and are usually found in gardens; Tree peonies, which have strong stems and grow in wild areas; and Itoh peonies, that is a hybrid of tree and herbaceous peonies. The peony blooming season may differ based on the type and variety, so understanding when different peonies bloom can also help with identification.  

All the flowers look very similar; that’s why identifying the plant type based on the flower is difficult. This confusion is common among gardeners, as seen in online discussions where people often ask for help identifying their peony type. 

Let’s take a look at the different types of peonies in detail. 

1. Herbaceous Peonies

Herbaceous peonies are mostly found in gardens; they bloom in the spring season, go back to the ground by fall, and bloom again in spring. These have soft, green stems and reach up to 7 feet in height. These plants are hardy perennials; they offer a wide range of varieties. 

2. Tree Peonies

Tree peonies have woody stems and grow like bushes. The leaves of this plant die back by fall, but the stems remain standing in the winter season. The flowers and leaves are larger compared to herbaceous peonies. Tree peonies bloom early in the season, but their vase life is less than herbaceous flowers. 

3. Itoh Peonies

The intersectional peonies are also called Itoh. These are made by crossing trees and herbaceous peonies. They produce new and exciting colors with large-sized blooms. The leaves and stems are similar to tree peonies and fall back in fall like herbaceous peonies. 

Interesting Fact 

Peonies bloom in the spring and summer, but the buds start to form in the winter season. They need 500 to 1000 hours of chill hours for growing buds.

Peony Types by Flower Shape

Peonies are found in various varieties and shapes. They can be classified into shapes like single, Japanese, anemone, semi-double, and bomb. The flowers with petals spread in a saucer shape are called single, 

Let’s take a look at the different types of peony flower shapes in detail and learn about their appearance. 

1. Single Peonies

In single peonies, there is a single row of guard petals that encompasses the petals and stamens. Most of the single peonies are hybrids; that’s why they are sterile and lack seed and pollen production. These flowers are mainly called single due to the saucer shape. It has visible pollen-bearing stamens in the center. These petals will not be harmed by light rain and wind. However, you have to provide support to the stems. For example, Sea Shell Peonies. 

Interesting fact 

Some varieties from Japan can be single peonies, but they will appear fuller due to environmental conditions.

Japanese Peonies

Japanese-shaped peonies are also called imperial forms. The stamens of this flower are partly transformed into narrow petals, that is called staminodes or petaloids, and the edges of the stamens will be thick and will often obtain viable pollen. These flowers usually have a decorative center and strong stems with a sweet, mild fragrance. They usually bloom in the mid- or late season and make a good cut flower. For example, Do Tell peonies. 

Anemone Peonies

Anemone Peonies may look similar to the Japanese-form peonies, but they have small, thin stamens that transform into petals. The anthers are not visible, and the size of these peonies are shorter than other peonies. These plants also require support, and they bloom early in season. For example, Bowl of Beauty. 

Semi-Double Peonies

Peony flowers that have several layers of petals, but their stamens and carpels are partly visible, are called semi-double peonies. These blooms look like double peonies due to the high petal count. They don’t like warm conditions, have a mild fragrance, and make good cut flowers. Examples: Coral Charm, Garden Treasure, White Lotus, and Bartzella.

Bomb Peonies

Bomb peonies have large outer guard petals that surround a dense ball of inner petals. The stamens transform into petals and create a round pom-pom or bomb-like appearance. These are extremely full and dramatic flowers; the size can vary based on the variety and the growing conditions of the plant. For example, red charm flowers.  

Full Double Peonies

Large and rounded flowers with many layers of petals are called double peonies; these are fully bloomed flowers, and the stamens and carpels of these flowers have been transformed into petals. The plants are large in size and have strong stems. Popular examples are Sarah Bernhardt, Festiva Maxima, Cheddar Surprise, and Sorbet.

Interesting fact

Each peony flower has a different fragrance; some are mild, whereas some are heavily fragrant.

25 Popular Peony Varieties 

Peonies come in a wide range of colors and flower forms, and sizes, which makes choosing a variety largely a matter of garden conditions and personal preference. . People usually ask that are peonies a type of rose; they may look similar, but peonies are larger and fuller in size. Here, I have discussed 25 varieties of peonies, including Sarah Bernhardt, Festiva Maxima, Coral Sunset, Kansas, Bowl of Beauty, Chocolate Soldier, Bartzella, Fern Leaf, Bowl of Cream, Green Halo, Red Charm, Miss America, Wild Lactiflora, Shirley Temple, Old Faithful, Honey Gold, Prairie Charm, Karl Rosenfield, Old Rose Dandy, Coral Charm, Joker, Buckeye Belle, White Cap, Solange, and Diana Parks. 

Let’s take a look at different peonies’ growing conditions, which will help you choose which can be best for your garden.

If you want to learn more about feeding peonies and choosing the right nutrients, check out our guide to peony fertilizer 

1. Sarah Bernhardt

Sarah Bernhardt is known as the most popular peony and gardeners also get attracted due to the beauty. It has fluffy, huge, and soft light pink petals. It comes under herbaceous perennial type, they grow in a native range of 3 to 8. The plants require full sun to partial shade to grow properly. These are easy-to-grow blooms, but due to heavy flowers, they need support. 

2. Festiva Maxima

Festiva maxima are herbaceous flowers; they need full to partial shade to grow. They usually grow in hardiness zones 3 to 8, and the plant’s height reaches up to 2 to 3 inches. These are fluffy, large, heavy-blooming double white peonies with a red center. The ruffled texture of the petals makes this flower. 

3. Coral Sunset

Coral Sunset is also a herbaceous perennial plant that needs full to partial shade to complete growth, they reach 2 to 3 inches in height. They usually grow in 3 to 8 hardiness zones. These are semi-double-shaped flowers with a yellow center.  These plants don’t need support, and they bloom in early spring. 

4. Kansas

Kansas peonies bloom in dark fuchsia colors; the double-blossom flowers on the bushy peony look beautiful. These are herbaceous perennial plants that grow in hardiness zones 3 to 8. They need full sun to partial shade, and the plant height reaches up to 2 to 3 inches. This plant is found in gardens, they make beautiful cut stems and don’t need support. These flowers can tolerate extra heat as compared to other varieties. 

5. Bowl of Beauty

Bowl of Beauty is a bright pink bloom variety that blooms up to 10 to 12 inches wide and has an enormous fragrance. These are herbaceous perennial plants that reach 2 to 3 inches in height. They grow in 3 to 8 hardiness zones. For proper growth, they need full sun to partial shade. Due to heavy blooms, these plants need stalking. 

6. Chocolate Soldier

Chocolate Soldiers are wine-colored, petaled flowers. These are herbaceous perennial flowers; they reach 2 to 3 inches in height and are found in 3 to 8 USDA zones. These plants need full sunlight or partial shade to grow and bloom fully. These are single-flower peonies that are low maintenance and do not need stalking. 

7. Bartzella

Bartzella is an intersectional hybrid plant that needs full sunlight to partial shade for proper growth. They grow in hardiness zones 4 to 9, and the plant’s height reaches up to 3 inches. These flowers bloom after the herbaceous season ends; they produce huge yellow blooms with a red center, and the plants have strong, sturdy stems, so they don’t need stalking. 

8. Fern Leaf

Fern leaf is a herbaceous perennial plant that grows 2 inches long and needs full sun to partial shade. The plant grows in hardiness zones 3 to 8. These flowers are small in size and bloom in a pinkish-red color. It blooms in early spring, and the foliage starts looking yellowish by late summer. The 

9. Bowl of Cream

Bowl of Cream is a pure white color peony; these herbaceous perennial plants need full sunlight to partial shade, and their height reaches up to 2 to 3 inches. They grow in 3 to 8 hardiness zones. The large, fluffy double blossom flowers are 12 inches large and create an instant focal point in the garden. These plants need support and proper protection, they also make beautiful cut flowers. Ensure you are growing these in a sheltered location because they can fade in wind and storms. 

10. Green Halo

Green halo plants are herbaceous perennial type peonies that need full sun to partial shade; the hardiness zone is between 3 and 8, and the height reaches up to 2 to 3 inches. These are semi-double peonies with thick outer guard petals with a greenish hue and a fluffy white center. It can be the best option for bouquets or arrangements because of the quirky look and subtle, muted colors. 

11. Red Charm 

Red charms are hybrid flowers that need full sunlight to partial shade. The plants are found in hardiness zones 3 to 8, and the plant height reaches 2 to 3 inches. These flowers are heat-tolerant and long-lasting. It is a double-bloom flower with a single layer of larger petals and a fluffy inner flower. These flowers look very similar to Diana parks. 

12. Miss America

Miss America is a herbaceous perennial plant that needs full sun to partial shade. The plant’s size reaches 2 to 3 inches in height and is found in USDA zones 3 to 8. These are semi-double flowers that have papery white blooms and a lemon yellow center. Flowers are large-sized, so the plant needs support to stand, and it makes great cut flowers with proper home care. 

13. Wild Lactiflora

Wild lactiflora is a herbaceous perennial plant that blooms in full sunlight to partial shade. The plant height reaches up to 3 inches, and they usually grow in hardiness zones 3 to 8. These classic peonies are bold and beautiful. It is a single peony with a yellow center and doesn’t need stalking. These are long-lasting, simple blooms that are found in gardens. 

14. Shirley Temple

Shirley Temple is a herbaceous perennial type of peony that needs full sun to partial shade for proper growth. The plant height reaches up to 3 inches and is found in hardiness zones 3 to 8. These are double flowers that bloom in a soft pale pink color and turn creamy white when mature. They have a mild fragrance, and they should be sheltered from rain and wind. This needs support to stand straight due to large, heavy blooms. 

15. Old Faithful

Old Faithful comes under the red crimson variety. The buds are dark blood red in color, and till blooming, it changes into vibrant crimson. These double-layer flowers are large in size; that’s why they need support to stand. They have a yellow eye in the middle. These plants also produce a profusion of blooms when they get mature. 

16. Honey Gold

Honey Gold is a striking and fragrant variety. This is a herbaceous perennial plant that needs full sun to partial shade to grow properly. The plant’s height reaches up to 3 inches, and they are found in hardiness zones 3 to 8. This variety is single blooming with cream ivory petals and a fluffy yellow center. The size of this flower is large and needs support to stand. 

17. Prairie Charm

Prairie charm flowers are ITOH hybrid flowers that grow in USDA zones 4 to 9, and the plant’s size reaches up to 3 inches. The plants need full sunlight or partial shade for proper growth. These are semi-double, yellow-colored blooms that have a red center. The flowers bloom in single-shaped peonies; that’s why it doesn’t need stalking. If you are growing these in lower zones, then protect them in winter with mulch or leaf litter. 

18. Karl Rosenfield

Karl Rosenfield is a very popular variety; these are herbaceous perennial flowers that grow in full sun to partial shade. The plants grow in hardiness zones 3 to 8, and the height reaches 2 to 3 inches. These are full double blooms found in magenta and red colors. Due to the big, heavy blossom, the plant needs support for stalking. This variety is as popular as Sarah Bernhardt. 

19. Old Rose Dandy

Old Rose Dandy is an Itoh peony flower that gives large blooms with bushy plants. The flowers are soft dusky pink; there is a little red in the center with yellow stamens. They don’t need support. If you are growing them in lower zones, then protect the plant in fall and cover it with mulch or leaf litter for safety. 

20. Coral Charm

Coral Charm is an Itoh hybrid variety; these are lovely semi-double varieties that bloom in soft shades of coral salmon. The flowers have pink petals with a yellow center. It has an old-fashioned charm; the blooms are cup-shaped and bigger in size, which makes it heavy, and the plant may need staking. These flowers need full sun to partial shade. It grows 2 to 3 inches and grows in 3 to 8 hardiness zones. 

21. Joker

Joker is a herbaceous perennial plant that needs full sun to partial shade. The plant’s height reaches up to 3 inches, and its hardiness zone is between 3 and 8. These are large, fluffy double blooms, found in bright pink color and a white center with a soft pink trim at the edges. The blooms can range from pink to closer to white. The plant needs stalking due to heavy blooms. 

22. Buckeye Belle

Buckeye Belle is an intersectional hybrid plant; it needs full sun to partial shade. These plants need 2 to 3 inches, and they grow in hardiness zones 3 to 8. These are semi-double plants with velvety wine-colored flowers with a yellow center. They are medium-height plants and require no stalking. It can be the best option for gardens due to their low maintenance. 

23. White Cap

White caps are herbaceous perennial flowers that need full sun or partial shade to grow; the plant’s height reaches up to 3 inches, and it grows in 3 to 8 hardiness zones. These buds are very small, with magenta petals on the surrounding and fluffy ivory petals in the middle; they don’t need support to stand. It has great fragrance and makes beautiful cut flowers. 

24. Solange

Solange is a herbaceous perennial plant that needs full sun to partial shade for growth. The plant reaches 2 to 3 inches in height and grows in USDA zones 3 to 8. This plant needs stalking due to the big, fluffy double and beautiful peonies. The petals are white in color with a tint of pink and are very fluffy. These make lovely cut flowers and will look stunning in a wedding bouquet. 

25. Diana Parks

Diana Park is found in a dark ruby red color that turns crimson in the center. The petals are larger in the outer layer, and the inner layer is ruffled and shaggy. This is a double blossom variety; that’s why it needs stalking. These are herbaceous perennial plants that need full sun to partial shade for growth. The plants’ height reaches 2 to 3 inches, and they usually grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8. 

Personal Tip 

If you are planting a peony that needs staking, please place the stalking while it is growing. After the blooming starts, placing the stalking will be difficult, and it can affect the plant’s growth.

Conclusion 

In the end, there are 3 types of peonies, including herbaceous, tree, and Itoh peonies. Itoh peonies are hybrid which means it has properties of both types. The peonies are classified into 6 types based on the texture and appearance: Single, Japanese, Anemone, Semi-Double, Full-Double, and Bomb Peonies. There are various varieties of peonies; here I have discussed the properties and growing requirements of 25 popular varieties of peonies. 

FAQs