Peonies are perennial flowers known for their lush, fragrant blooms, often symbolizing prosperity and honor. Their appeal, combined with a relatively short natural blooming season, creates significant market demand for both cut flowers and plants. Consequently, the cost of acquiring peonies is highly variable, depending on whether you purchase a single stem or a dormant root, and the time of year. Understanding the distinct pricing structures for cut flowers versus planting stock helps set clear expectations.
Cost of Peony Cut Flowers
The price for a single peony stem fluctuates dramatically based on the point of sale and availability. During the peak season of late spring, common varieties like the classic pink ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ might be available at a supermarket or local flower stand for $5 to $8 per stem. Conversely, a high-end florist typically charges $10 to $18 per stem due to higher overhead, premium grading, and specialized conditioning.
Purchasing in bulk reveals a wider range. Wholesale prices for a 10-stem bunch during the local season often fall between $50 and $80. For large events, purchasing wholesale boxes of 50 to 100 stems can reduce the per-stem cost to between $3 and $7 for popular colors, but this requires accepting the flowers in bud form and handling the processing yourself.
The highest prices occur outside of the natural growing season, necessitating importing stems from distant regions like Chile or the Netherlands. Off-season peonies can see retail prices soar to $20 or more per stem due to air freight and specialized cold storage. Highly desirable colors, such as ‘Coral Charm’ or rare yellow varieties, consistently command a premium, even during peak season, often pushing wholesale prices to the upper end of the range.
Pricing Bare Roots and Potted Plants
The cost of growing peonies in your garden represents a long-term investment. The two primary forms for planting are bare roots and potted plants, each with a distinct price point. Bare roots are dormant root divisions, typically sold in the fall with two to five visible “eyes,” which are the growth buds.
A bare root division of a common herbaceous variety, such as ‘Karl Rosenfeld,’ generally costs between $20 and $35. These are the most economical choice but require patience, as they often take up to three years to produce mature blooms. Potted peony plants, which are often one or two years old and established in soil, are more expensive, usually ranging from $45 to $65 for a common variety.
Potted plants offer the advantage of earlier blooms and a higher survival rate since they are actively growing when planted. A notable exception is the Itoh peony, an intersectional hybrid of tree and herbaceous types. Itoh bare roots or plants, like the yellow ‘Bartzella,’ are specialty items that can easily cost $75 to over $100 per plant due to the difficulty and time involved in propagation.
Factors That Cause Price Variation
Several economic and horticultural drivers explain the wide price swings in the peony market. One primary factor is the long-term commitment required by commercial growers, as a peony plant takes approximately three years to become commercially viable for cutting. This extended maturation period means growers must set aside land and resources for years before seeing a return, contributing to a higher base price compared to annual crops.
The most significant price driver is seasonality and the resulting supply chain logistics. When local peonies are in season, supply is high and prices are lower. Outside of this brief window, the expense of importing flowers from across the globe is passed directly to the consumer. Furthermore, the rarity of a specific variety, such as a specialized heirloom or a unique color like yellow, significantly increases the cost due to limited propagation material and high demand.
Finally, the geographical location of the sale and the flower’s grade play a role. Flowers sold through urban florists carry a higher markup than those from farm stands or garden centers in rural areas. Similarly, longer stems and larger, perfectly formed flower heads are graded as premium products, selling for a higher price than shorter stems.