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Paeonia lactiflora spp.

bouquet builders peony collection

Paeoniaceae

Central and eastern Asia (parent species)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 3–8

Overview

The Bouquet Builders Peony Collection is a curated grouping of Paeonia lactiflora cultivars selected for cut-flower production, combining early, mid, and late-season bloomers across a complementary color range. Mature clumps reach 30-36 inches (75-90 cm) tall and 30-36 inches (75-90 cm) wide, forming upright herbaceous mounds of glossy, deeply cut compound foliage with 9 leaflets per leaf. Each stem carries a single terminal flower 4-7 inches (10-18 cm) across, with single, semi-double, double, bomb, and Japanese forms represented depending on the included cultivars; flower colors span white, blush, pink, coral, and red. Stems average 24-32 inches (60-80 cm) at cut length and develop sufficient stiffness for vase work after the first 2 years of establishment. Plants are deciduous, dying back to the crown after the first hard frost; tuberous roots and red-tipped buds (eyes) overwinter at or just below soil level. Bloom lasts 7-10 days per individual flower; the staggered cultivar mix extends the harvest window across 4-6 weeks rather than the 7-10 days of a single-cultivar planting. Roots take 2-3 seasons to reach full bloom and may decline if planted with eyes deeper than 2 inches (5 cm) below the soil surface. P. lactiflora flowers and roots contain paeoniflorin, which can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs, cats, and humans if ingested in quantity.

Native Range

Paeonia lactiflora is native to central and eastern Asia, ranging from Siberia and Mongolia through northern China, Korea, and the Russian Far East. Wild populations occur in open meadows, forest margins, and stony slopes between 400 and 2,300 m (1,300-7,500 ft) elevation on well-drained calcareous soils. The cultivars in this collection are products of breeding programs conducted across China, Japan, France, and the United States since the 19th century.

Suggested Uses

Used in dedicated cutting gardens spaced 36-42 inches (90-105 cm) apart in rows for harvest access, or in mixed perennial borders as a structural mid-season element. Combines with later-blooming perennials such as Echinacea spp., Phlox paniculata, and ornamental Allium spp. to extend interest beyond peony bloom. Container culture is workable in 15-gallon (57 L) or larger containers in zones 4-7, though long-term performance is stronger with in-ground placement where roots can reach full depth.

How to Identify

Look for a herbaceous clump of upright stems 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) tall arising from tuberous roots, each stem bearing alternate compound leaves with 9 deeply lobed glossy green leaflets and a single terminal flower bud. Flowers measure 4-7 inches (10-18 cm) across in spring, with petal counts ranging from 5-9 (single forms) to 50+ (full-double forms) and colors from white through pink to deep red. The base of each leaf petiole shows a faint reddish flush and the stems are smooth and unbranched, distinguishing P. lactiflora from tree peonies (P. suffruticosa, which retains woody stems through winter) and intersectional hybrids (which carry hybrid foliage texture).

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2'6" - 3'

Width/Spread2'6" - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Spring Summer

Bloom occurs late May through June in zones 5-7, mid-May to early June in zones 8, and early to mid-June in zones 3-4. The collection's staggered cultivar mix produces 4-6 weeks of continuous flowering as early-season cultivars (such as 'Early Scout' and 'Coral Charm') overlap with mid-season ('Sarah Bernhardt', 'Festiva Maxima') and late-season selections ('Karl Rosenfield', 'Felix Crousse'). Each individual stem holds open flowers 7-10 days; cooler temperatures below 70°F (21°C) extend bloom by 2-3 days. Buds form during the previous summer and overwinter on the crown, requiring 400-500 hours below 40°F (4°C) for proper differentiation.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white, blush, pink, coral, red (collection mix)

Foliage Description

glossy green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Performs in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light, with afternoon shade tolerated in zones 7-9 where summer temperatures exceed 90°F (32°C). Soil should be deep, well-drained loam with pH 6.5-7.5; heavy clay benefits from incorporation of coarse compost to a depth of 12 inches (30 cm) before planting. Place crowns with the topmost eyes 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) below the soil surface — deeper planting reduces flowering for several years. Water deeply once per week during the first growing season; established plants tolerate 3-4 weeks of summer drought once roots reach 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) depth. Apply a balanced 5-10-10 fertilizer at 2-3 oz per plant in early spring as new shoots emerge, and again at 1 oz per plant after bloom. Botrytis blight (gray mold), peony measles, and ant traffic on developing buds are the main pressures; ants are non-damaging nectar feeders and may be ignored, while botrytis is reduced by removing fallen foliage in autumn and spacing plants for airflow.

Pruning

Cut stems back to 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) above ground level after the first hard frost in autumn and remove all foliage from the planting bed to reduce overwintering botrytis spores. Spent flowers may be deadheaded at the first leaf below the bloom to redirect energy from seed production into root reserves. For cut-flower harvest, stems are cut at the marshmallow stage (buds soft and showing color) early in the morning, leaving at least 2 leaves per stem to support root growth.

Pruning Schedule

fall