Different Types Of Peonies Species & Best Popular Varieties
The three main types of peonies are herbaceous, tree peonies, and a third hybrid variety known as itoh peonies. There are multiple peonies of different colors that fall under each category.
Peonies make spectacular additions to any garden. They are perennials, meaning they will return every year.
There are 100s of different types of peonies available for you to include in your garden. Broadly, peonies fall under either of the three categories – Tree Peonies, Herbaceous Peonies, and Itoh or Intersectional Peonies (a cross between the other two).
From the popular peonies, the flower’s shape typically goes from delicate, airy blooms to frilly pom-pomp bodacious puffs. Their flowers can be classified under six heads – Full Double, Bombe, Semi-Double, Japanese, Single, and Anemone.
Most peonies have white or pink flowers, but some also have yellow, orange, red, and purple shades.
Peonies are the classic garden flower that can bring a garden to life when in full bloom. Their tall flowers on a beautiful vase-shaped bushy plant are what every gardener anxiously awaits in every season.
Peonies are fragrant, long-lived perennial flowers (which might often live for as long as a century) and add softness and elegance to any garden. Peonies are beautiful and timeless, there is a peony for every style and taste.
Typically, they have a two-three foot spread and grow up to three feet tall. Read below as we unveil their different types.
Popular Types of Peonies Based On Their Growth Style and Structure
You can categorize peonies based on their structure and further understand the different colors of flowers under each type.
Itoh or Intersectional Peonies
| Hardiness Zones | USDA 4 through 9 |
| Bloom time | Late spring through early autumn |
| Bloom color | Yellow, coral, pink, red, white |
| Height | 3 ft. tall, 4 ft. wide |
Also known as Itoh Peonies (christened after Dr. Toichi Itoh, their Japanese breeder), the Intersectional peonies are contemporary and one of the most common among the different types of peonies.
They are a hybrid of traditional woody-type tree peonies and common herbaceous peonies. Such peonies are bred to yield fragrant and large flowers and fine foliage while simultaneously being tolerant to cold and maintaining their compact growing habit.
The Itoh peonies bloom two to three few weeks after the herbaceous varieties. So, including these in your garden can be an excellent way to elongate the peony season and push it to early summer. These are easy to grow but slow-growing and require five to six hours of sun daily. It is best to expose them to full sun and part shade conditions.
Let us look at the best peony varieties in pink color that fall under the Itoh species.
1. Pink peonies
Some peonies with pink color blooms are mentioned below.
A. Peony Hillary
| Scientific Name | Paeonia ‘Hillary’ |
| Zone | USDA 4 through 9 |
| Bloom Time | Spring |
| Size | 90cm height 90cm spread |
| Flower Color | Pink |
It is a unique variety that yields two-tone magenta and apricot, large blooms with a spicy and rich fragrance. This plant has a bushy habit and is an unusual hybrid between the tree and the garden peony.
It is among the different types of peonies from the Itoh species that are easy to grow and hardy. The plant has lush green leaves that yield semi-double blooms in spring.
To ensure the best results, you must plant it in well-prepared and rich soil in full sun. Guard it against wind and prune it in late winter when the plant is dormant.
B. Julia Rose
| Scientific Name | Paeonia Julia Rose |
| Zone | 4 through 9 |
| Bloom Time | Late spring to early summer |
| Size | 2 to 3 feet |
| Flower Color | Changes color |
It is a beautiful intersectional peony with attractive single to semi-double blossoms that change their color over time. While in the bud, they are cherry red, but as they open, they have an apricot or orange hue with purple, delicate flushed edges, and later fade to yellow.
It is one of the best peony varieties, as the single plant can show three different colors simultaneously, showcasing a spectacular display. The plant thrives in part shade or full sun in medium moisture, fertile, rich, and well-drained soil.
Some staking might help as the large peony flowers tend to gravitate towards the ground and might even be driven to the ground if hit by a hard rain. They are rabbit and deer-resistant but attract butterflies.
2. Yellow Peonies
Here are some of the best yellow varieties from Itoh species:
A. Bartzella
| Scientific Name | Paeonia ‘Bartzella’ |
| Zone | 3 through 8 |
| Bloom Time | Late spring to early summer |
| Size | 2 to 3 feet |
| Flower Color | Yellow |
It is an intersectional hybrid that originates from America and is an extremely refreshing addition to the garden, courtesy of its bright yellow color. They bloom later in the season after the herbaceous have finished blooming.
The plant does best in part shade to full sun and yield huge blossoms that are blush red on the interiors. It has a sturdy stem and needs no staking. If you live in a colder region (outside the specified hardiness zones), you must shield the plant and cover it in leaf litter or mulch for extra protection.
B. Prairie Charm
| Scientific Name | Paeonia ‘Prairie Charm’ |
| Zone | 4 through 9 |
| Bloom Time | Late spring to early summer |
| Size | 2 to 3 feet |
| Flower Color | Yellow |
As an Itoh hybrid, it is large with a semi-double yellow flower and a flaming red nucleus in the center. Native to Japan, the Prairie Charm does best in full sun to part shade conditions and yields plenty of blossoms per every plant.
They are sturdy and do not need staking. However, if you live in a colder region, consider planting them in a protected area in the garden and cover with leaf litter or mulch for additional protection.
3. Types of white peonies
Here are the different species of peonies in white color from the Itoh species.
A. Cora Louise Itoh Peony
| Scientific Name | Paeonia ‘Cora Louise’ |
| Zone | 4 through 8 |
| Bloom Time | May to June |
| Size | 2.00 to 2.50 feet |
| Flower Color | White |
These attractive plants have semi-double, pure, white flowers 8-10 inches wide. They open delicately to reveal flushed lavender to purple petals at the nucleus, surrounding the golden stamens.
Cora Louise flowers are born in profusion. So, you can expect fifty blossoms on a mature bush. The plant thrives in full sun or part shade provided it receives well-drained, medium-moisture, fertile, and rich soil. It is virtually pest free.
B. Peony White Emperor
| Scientific Name | Paeonia (Intersectional) ‘White Emperor |
| Zone | 4 through 8 |
| Bloom Time | Late spring to early summer |
| Size | 2 to 3 feet |
| Flower Color | White |
It is one of the many semi-double Itoh Peonies. The plant’s blooms open with a creamy white nucleus and become whiter as they age. It is a rare and unusual pony with finely cut green foliage on a solid framework.
These are the best peony varieties for their unique appearance. The green foliage becomes red in spring and autumn and needs no staking. A free-draining, fertile soil and part shade or full sun work best for the plant.
4. Red peony varieties
Let us look at some of the red peony varieties:
A. Red Charm
| Scientific Name | Paeonia ‘Red Charm’ |
| Zone | 3 through 8 |
| Bloom Time | Late spring to early summer |
| Size | 2 to 3 feet |
| Flower Color | Red |
Native to America, Red Charm is the classic red peony that thrives in full sun to part shade. It is a double flower with a single outer petal layer comprising large petals and a fluffy ruffled inner bloom.
It resembles Diana Parks. Its flowers are heat-tolerant and last long. They are robust on stalks and do not need stalking.
B. Scarlett O’Hara
| Scientific Name | Paeonia ‘Scarlett O’Hara’ |
| Zone | 3 through 8 |
| Bloom Time | Late spring to early summer |
| Size | 2 to 3 feet |
| Flower Color | Red |
Native to America, these are classic and timeless. They produce beautiful scarlet red flowers with a sunny, bright yellow color in their center.
It is a delicate and old-fashioned variety that is likable to the bits. They have smaller flowers and sturdy stems, which do not need staking. These need full sun to part shade to grow well.
5. Coral Peony Varieties
Let us discuss some of the best peony varieties that are coral in color.
A. Coral Charm
| Scientific Name | Paeonia ‘Coral Charm’ |
| Zone | 3 through 8 |
| Bloom Time | Late spring to early summer |
| Size | 2 to 3 feet |
| Flower Color | Coral |
Native to Japan, Coral Charm is the Itoh Hybrid variety that produces an attractive semi-double variety, which blooms in alluring shades of coral salmon. The flower opens to reveal its yellow center.
Its color looks traditional but beautiful, making it a must-have addition to every garden. Coral Charm flowers are big full cup-like blossoms that require staking. They thrive in full sun to part shade.
Herbaceous Peonies
| Hardiness Zones | USDA 3 through 7 |
| Bloom time | Late spring through early summer |
| Bloom color | White, pink, peach, red/burgundy, and lavender |
| Height | 3 feet |
The herbaceous varieties are the most popular of the different kinds of peonies. These are compact and grow clusters of blooms every spring before they die back to the ground in late autumn.
Its new stems show in early spring, which is the preparation for the late spring bloom. They are easy-to-grow and low-maintenance plants. Some herbaceous peony plants can hold their flowers by themselves, but other peonies require staking in some contexts and climates.
Its stems usually last for a single growing season, unlike the tree peony stems, which are permanent. The roots can be divided in early spring or late fall to replenish the plant and form new propagation plants.
Such peonies yield rounded clumps or mounds of new foliage and growth. Such varieties are also slow-growing and easy to grow. However, they need full sun and at least eight hours of light across the growing season.
1. Pink peonies
Let us address different species of peonies in pink color from herbaceous species.
A. Kansas
| Scientific Name | Paeonia lactiflora ‘Kansas’ |
| Zone | 3 through 8 |
| Bloom Time | Late spring through early summer |
| Size | 2 to 3 feet |
| Flower Color | Pink |
Native to America, it is a dark fuchsia double-blossom plant that is bushy and gorgeous. It is a classic and one of the best peony varieties you will most commonly spot in several gardens.
It is a prolific and reliable herbaceous bloomer that does best in full sun to part shade. They yield excellent cut flowers and have sturdy stems that might need staking. These plants can survive extended durations of heat.
B. Coral Supreme Peony
| Scientific Name | Paeonia ‘Coral Supreme’ |
| Zone | 3 through 8 |
| Bloom Time | Late spring through early summer |
| Size | 2 to 3 feet tall with an equivalent spread |
| Flower Color | Pink with hints of white |
Need a beautiful, romantic-looking herbaceous peony? If yes, Coral Supreme can be a good pick. It has large bowl-shaped flowers in delicate pink color. They flower early for a typical peony, usually in late spring. Every flower lasts around seven to ten days, but the blooms stay till summer. They are also lightly fragrant.
These are popular types of peonies and have semi-double flower types and need full sun to part shade to grow. The plant grows best in well-drained but humid, sandy, chalk, clay, or loam soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
After the bloom is spent, the foliage gives texture to the beds or borders until the initial frost. It is perfect for cottage and city gardens, especially if you grow in clusters. You can divide the clumps when they become thick to continue adoring the herbaceous peony for the next five decades.
2. Peach Peony Varieties
Let us address some flowers in peach color from herbaceous species.
A. Coral and Gold Peony
| Scientific Name | Paeonia ‘Coral And Gold’ |
| Zone | 3 through 8 |
| Bloom Time | Late spring through early summer |
| Size | 2 to 3 feet tall with an equal spread |
| Flower Color | Bright coral orange with very bright yellow stamens |
Amongst the different kinds of peonies, if you wish to plant something unique, the Coral and Gold peony can be a good pick. These herbaceous plants have single flowers of the richest and brightest coral color.
Their stamens are bright yellow, yielding a beautiful contrast, but also an energetic and vivid ensemble. Its flowers are fragrant and bowl-shaped and attract different pollinators like butterflies. It is an outstanding variety, suitable for herbaceous borders.
They also look great in large and tall flower beds. Since it is an elegant flower with a strong presence, you can include it in formal gardens. In 2009, the Coral and Gold flower was lauded by the American Peony Society with the Award of Landscape Merit.
The plant needs part shade or full sun to grow and thrives in well-drained but constantly humid chalk, clay, sandy, or loam soil with a pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral.
B. Pink Hawaiian Coral
| Scientific Name | Paeonia ‘Pink Hawaiian Coral’ |
| Zone | 3 through 8 |
| Bloom Time | Late spring through early summer |
| Size | 2 to 3 feet |
| Flower Color | Coral or peach |
Native to Asia, Pink Hawaiian Coral is an alluring herbaceous perennial that grows best in full sun to part shade. Including this plant in the garden adds a beautiful tropical vibe. It is a lovely semi-double flower with a light coral color, which gradually turns to a soft peach color. This early-blooming peony is fragrant. Its flowers bloom on the stalks and require stalking.
3. Red or Burgundy Peony Varieties
Here are some burgundy or red herbaceous varieties:
A. Chocolate Soldier
| Scientific Name | Paeonia lactiflora ‘Chocolate |
| Zone | 3 through 8 |
| Bloom Time | Late spring through early summer |
| Size | 2 to 3 feet |
| Flower Color | Wine or deep red |
This herbaceous perennial is a refreshing surprise in the garden, courtesy of its dark chocolate wine or deep red hue with a pop of yellow in the center. Its petals are vibrant enough to make a statement in the summer.
They are single-flowered peonies that do best in full sun to part shade. Native to Japan, they do not need staking and are low-maintenance varieties.
B. Fern Leaf
| Scientific Name | Paeonia tenuifolia ‘Fern leaf’ |
| Zone | 3 through 8 |
| Bloom Time | Early spring |
| Size | 1 to 2 feet |
| Flower Color | Red and pinkish |
This herbaceous perennial variety is native to Asia and does best in full sun to part shade. Fern leaf varieties are like none other. It is an early spring blooming peony and yields pinkish-red flowers across the plant.
Its flowers are small, but its standout feature is its soft ferny foliage that sprouts off the ground early in the spring. Since it is an early bloomer, its foliage often looks yellow and sad in the summer.
It is best to grow it against some late-blooming perennials so you can have your garden blooming for a long. Usually, the Fern Leaf can grow big and floppy and demand staking. It can add spring structure to the environment because Fern Leaf pops off the ground when most plants are dormant.
4. Types Of White Peonies
Let us address different types of peonies in white color from herbaceous species.
A. Bride’s Dream Peony
| Scientific Name | Paeonia Lactiflora Bride’s Dream |
| Zone | 3 through 8 |
| Bloom Time | Late spring through early summer |
| Size | 2 to 3 feet tall with an equal spread |
| Flower Color | White |
These herbaceous peonies have Japanese flower types. Its guard petals are whiter than white and Moon-like, surreal, and very light. The presence of petaloid in the center of these large flowers is creamy white.
It blooms from late spring to early summer, with every flower head lasting around seven to 10 days. Bride’s Dream loves sheltered locations, away from strong winds. These peonies have solid and elegant personalities and can look magnificent on their own.
You can also use them to add a magical touch to the tall beds or borders, especially in the informal gardens. These flowers grow well in full sun to part shade with well-drained, but never dry loam, clay, chalk, or sandy soil.
B. Krinkled White
| Scientific Name | Paeonia lactiflora ‘Krinkled White’ |
| Zone | 3 through 8 |
| Bloom Time | Late spring through early summer |
| Size | 2 to 3 feet |
| Flower Color | White |
This herbaceous perennial variety is native to Asia and is a simple plant with a single flower. Its blooms have lovely large petals with a yellow center. The plant thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Adding this variety to the garden can make the surroundings cheerful and bright. The specie is covered in buds and yields plenty of flowers. It has sturdy stalks and does not need stalking.
5. Yellow Peony Varieties
Here is one of the best peony varieties in yellow color from herbaceous species.
A. Goldilocks
| Scientific Name | Paeonia lactiflora ‘Goldilocks’ |
| Zone | 3 through 8 |
| Bloom Time | Late spring through early summer |
| Size | 2 to 3 feet |
| Flower Color | Yellow |
It is a beautiful double-peony herbaceous perennial that is native to America. The plant has larger outer petals and fluffy inner petals. The flower has a pale butter-yellow hue and thrives best in full sun to part shade.
They make phenomenal cut flowers. The soft yellow color of the flowers is a beautiful surprise for many. Since the flowers are large, they will probably need staking.
Tree Peonies (Woody Shrub Peonies)
| Hardiness Zones | USDA 4 through 9 |
| Bloom time | Early spring |
| Bloom color | Pink, white, yellow, lilac, violet, and red |
| Height | 4 to 6 feet |
These peony varieties form a permanent woody stem. While herbaceous have stems that die back to the ground every autumn, these are more like the hardy shrub. Their stalks remain standing across the winter and flower again in the next season.
The woody shrub peonies are famous for their fine and delicate foliage and fragrant, large flowers. Its stalks enable the tree to yield big flowers without needing stalking. Its flowers last longer than those of the herbaceous varieties.
Comparing the different types of peonies, especially the herbaceous peonies, to the established woody peonies, you will see they grow taller than others. Hence, they also produce more flowers per plant.
Having said that, they are less tolerant to harsh environmental conditions than herbaceous. Lastly, they demand more annual upkeep than herbaceous peonies and benefit from expert pruning.
1. Pink Peony
Here are the different kinds of peonies in a pink hue.
A. Floral Rivalry
| Scientific Name | Tree Peony ‘Hana Kisoi’ |
| Zone | 4 through 8 |
| Bloom Time | Early spring |
| Size | 60 inches |
| Flower Color | Pink |
This attractive tree produces blossoms into a prom-pink nest with crepe, paper-like petals, which develop deeper hues towards the flower’s heart.
B. Sakura Jishidi
| Scientific Name | Tree Peony ‘Sakura Jishidi’ |
| Zone | 4 through 8 |
| Bloom Time | Early spring |
| Size | 4-6 feet |
| Flower Color | Pink |
Every petal on this pink-hued flower has a wavy, crinkled edge that adds to its volume and depth. It is pale pink at the tips, and the petals are dark to a bright raspberry shade towards the center.
2. Other Colors
A. High Noon Peony
| Scientific Name | Paeonia suffruticosa ‘High Noon |
| Zone | 4-7S/9W |
| Bloom Time | Spring, Summer |
| Size | 4-5 feet |
| Flower Color | Pink, white, yellow, lilac, violet, and red |
It is an American hybrid plant with clear lemon-yellow flowers with red in the center. These plants may sometimes drop a repeat bloom in the summer. It is one of the most glorious shrubs, widely loved by American gardeners.
Its silky flowers are huge and resemble herbaceous peonies, but its color runs from pure white to red, pink, yellow, and lavender. The plant is decently tall and can carry around 50 blooms per plant. They do their best in full sun to part shade.
B. Chojuraku Peony
| Scientific Name | Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Chojuraku |
| Zone | 3 through 8 |
| Bloom Time | May and June |
| Size | 14-16 inches |
| Flower Color | Lilac, purple, lavender |
It is an attractive tree that yields beautiful double blossoms in attractive shades of lavender with almost black and dark purple flares at the end of the inner petals.
Its cool-colored petals envelop the warm center of golden stamens. It is fragrant and attracts butterflies.
Related: How Long Does It Take for Peonies to Bloom | How To Care for Peonies In The Fall | How Long Do Peonies Live | What Is The Best Fertilizer For Peonies
Peony Flower Information
Ques 1. What is the longest flowering peony?
Ans. Tree peonies are the longest flowering peony with some amazing popular types of peonies.
Ques 2. What are the easiest peonies to grow?
Ans. Peony ‘Pink Hawaiian Coral’ is one of the easiest peonies to grow.
Ques 3. Which are the rare peony varieties?
Ans. Purple peonies are one such variety that is rare.
Ques 4. Which are the best peony varieties for cut flowers?
Ans. Sarah Bernhardt, Boule de Neige, and Madame Calot are the peony varieties ideal for cut flowers.
