The Paeonia genus contains more than 30 species and hundreds of varieties, some of which have been in cultivation for thousands of years, originally in China. The peonies most commonly grown as garden plants fall into three categories. Herbaceous peonies are usually cultivars of P. lactifola or hybrid crosses that have P. lactifola as one of the parents. A special class of herbaceous peonies, known as fern-leaf peonies, are derived from P. tenuifolia. Tree peonies are cultivars of Paeonia suffruticosa. These are woody-stemmed plants. Itoh peonies, also known as “intersectional” peonies, are hybrid crosses between tree peonies and herbaceous peonies. From elegant single-petaled varieties to exuberant “bomb” forms, discover 15 great varieties of peonies to grace your spring garden.
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Hardiness Zones: 4–8Height: 18–24 inchesSun Exposure: Full
Native Area: Nursery hybrid; parent species are native to ChinaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 5–8Height: 5–7 feetSun Exposure: Full, Partial
Native Area: Central and eastern AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8Height: 32–40 inchesSun Exposure: Full, Partial
Native Area: Central and eastern AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 2–8Height: 28–32 inchesSun Exposure: Full, Partial
Native Area: Central and eastern AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 2–8Height: 2–3 feetSun Exposure: Full, Partial
Native Area: Central and eastern AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3–9Height: 18–22 inchesSun Exposure: Full, Partial
Native Area: Central and eastern AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8Height: 32–36 inchesSun Exposure: Full, Partial
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Hardiness Zones: 4–8Height: 18–24 inchesSun Exposure: Full, Partial
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Hardiness Zones: 4–9Height: 2–3 feetSun Exposure: Full, Partial
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Hardiness Zones: 4–9Height: 2–3 feetSun Exposure: Full, Partial
Native Area: Central and eastern AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8Height: 32–40 inchesSun Exposure: Full, Partial
Native Area: Central and eastern AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3–7Height: 32–38 inchesSun Exposure: Full, Partial
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8Height: 24–36 inchesSun Exposure: Full, Partial
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Hardiness Zones: 4–9Height: 2–3 feetSun Exposure: Full, Partial
Native Area: Central and eastern AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8Height: 30–36 inchesSun Exposure: Full, Partial
