Peony Growing Season
How to get the most of peonies season. Learn when peonies bloom, how to have continuous blooms for 6 weeks, and what to do after peonies bloom.
How Do You Pronounce Peony?
First things first– how do you pronounce peony?
The answer is pee • uh • nee.
However, the pronunciation can vary regionally in the United States.
Many southerners tend to say pee • oh • nee, with an emphasis on the oh. And some people pronounce peony pie • nee or pee • nee.
When Do Peonies Bloom?
Peonies bloom in April, May, and June.
They grow in zones 2-8, so peonies located in higher numbered zones will bloom first, typically around Mother’s Day.
A couple weeks later, peonies in zones 6-4 will open, usually around Memorial Day. Peonies located in zones 2-3 will be the last to bloom.
How Long Do Peonies Bloom?
Sadly, peonies don’t bloom for very long. They typically bloom for 7 to 10 days.
If you wish to enjoy peonies for a longer amount of time, plant different varieties of peonies.
Planting an array of peony varieties can result in up to 6 weeks of continuous peony blooms.
Early Season Peony Varieties
- Coral Charm
- Coral Sunset
- Salmon Dream
- Merry Mayshine
- Buckeye Belle
- Burma Ruby
- Red Charm
- Wondrous Delight
- Pink Hawaiian
Mid-Season Peony Varieties
- Pink Derby
- Gay Paree
- Sorbet
- Shirley Temple
- Red Charm
- Kansas
- Gardenia
- Benjamin Franklin
- Philomele
- Sarah Bernhardt
- Bowl of Beauty
- Bowl of Cream
- Karl Rosenfeld
- Big Ben
Late Season Peony Varieties
- Dinnerplate
- Pink Parfait
- Elsa Sass
- Dr. Jekyll
- Candy Stripe
- Old Faithful
- Little Jeanne
- Felix Crousse
How to Extend Peony Blooms
One way to extend peony blooms is to cut the blooms that have already opened.
This allows the plant to allocate more energy into opening the buds that have yet to open.
So cut those opened blooms and bring them inside or give a bouquet to a friend. Another way to extend the life of peonies is staking them.
What to Do After Peonies Bloom
After peonies have bloomed, you’re going to want to deadhead them.
Deadheading means to cut off the bloom.
When you deadhead a peony bush, the plant can then put more energy into expanding its root system.
FAQ
What month are peonies in season?
Peonies are in season April, May, and June, depending on what zone they grow in. Most peonies are in bloom in late May to early June.
How many times a year do peonies bloom?
Peonies only bloom once per year. This is one of the reasons why peonies from florists are so expensive. Because once the growing season is over, that’s it.
How long are peonies in season for?
Most peonies are in season and blooming for 7 to 10 days.
Can you grow peonies all year-round?
Unfortunately, peonies are not year-round flowers. They bloom once in the spring and then they’re done flowering until the following spring.
Do peonies like sun or shade?
Peonies love the sun. Most peonies require at least 8 hours of full sun every day. Keep this in mind when selecting where to plant your peony.
Why are my peonies not blooming?
The two main reasons why peonies don’t bloom is that they aren’t getting enough sun or they’re planted too deep. If the peonies aren’t getting enough sun, they may need to be transplanted to another location.
