When Are Peonies in Season and Where Do They Grow?
Peonies are the dreamy, fluffy stars of the early summer garden and a favorite for so many flower lovers. If there’s anyone who says they don’t absolutely adore them, I’m not sure I could ever believe them! In fact, they’re one of the few types of flowers I grow on my flower farm today.
So it makes perfect sense that many people anxiously await peony bloom time each year. Whether you’re a flower farmer interested in adding peonies to your flower farm or you’re a gardener wanting to add some of these beauties to your space, this resource will help you understand where and when peonies grow and bloom.
When Are Peonies in Season?
In the US, peonies typically bloom in June, around the end of spring or beginning of summer. Typically, there isn’t much else blooming during this early summer lull—spring bulbs like daffodils and tulips are done blooming for the season and summer annuals haven’t quite taken off yet. So peonies really shine and provide some beauty—and potentially profit—at a great time.
While peonies typically flower in June, the exact timing depends on your specific location and the varieties you’re growing (more on this later). Peonies are perennial, so they come back year after year. That’s one of the reasons I grow them on my farm. In addition to being absolutely stunning, they require less effort over time compared to annual flowers.
Regions Where Peonies Grow
Peonies are native to the northern hemisphere, typically growing in USDA hardiness zones 3-8 (although some varieties may be able to handle warmer zones). Because they’re cold hardy, they typically grow better in the US northeast, midwest, and northwest. Some southern regions get too hot for peonies.
Outside of the US, peonies generally grow well in northern regions of Europe and Asia.
If you’re unsure if you can grow peonies in your area, check with local gardeners or garden centers. They’ll point you in the right direction!
How Long Do Peonies Bloom?
While peony season is magical, it’s short lived. Individual peony plants typically only bloom for 7 to 10 days. However, different varieties bloom at different times. If you plant peonies with varied bloom times, you can actually make your peony season last up to six weeks.
Early-season peonies, like Coral Charm and Bartzella, typically start to bloom the earliest.
Mid-season peonies come next. Some varieties include Sarah Bernhardt and Festiva Maxima.
Late-season varieties round out the overall peony season. Karl Rosenfeld and Duchesse de Nemours are a few late-season types.
It’s also worth noting that this information typically applies to herbaceous peonies—the kind of peony we typically think about. But there are also peony trees, hybrid varieties, and Itoh varieties (a cross between peony trees and herbaceous peonies) that may have longer bloom times and longer seasons.
In a nutshell, the peony season is dictated by your climate, how you care for your peony plants, and the types that you grow. If you’re a flower farmer and considering growing peonies on your farm, I would absolutely recommend it. It’s one of the most profitable—and beautiful—flowers I grow on my farm.