The peony is admired for its lush, layered blooms and strong fragrance. As a highly seasonal flower, its cost varies widely based on the specific product and the time of year. A substantial difference exists between the price of a peony bought for a short-term floral arrangement and one purchased as a long-term garden investment. Understanding the market requires distinguishing between the two primary forms in which the flower is sold: as a freshly cut stem and as a perennial plant or bare root.
Understanding Price Variation by Form
The price of a peony is determined by whether the purchase is for immediate enjoyment or for garden establishment. Cut peony stems are a luxury, short-term acquisition, with pricing reflecting high demand, complex logistics, and seasonal scarcity. Stems are typically priced individually or by the bunch, often with a significant markup near major floral holidays or events.
Peony plants are a long-term garden investment, with pricing tied to their maturity and genetic makeup. They are sold either as dormant bare roots or as actively growing potted specimens. Bare roots are the most economical starting point, consisting of a root division with growth nodes, or “eyes,” that will develop into a mature plant.
Pricing Dynamics for Cut Peony Stems
The cost of a single cut peony stem ranges from a few dollars to over ten dollars, primarily dictated by the time of year. Peak season is brief, generally spanning late spring and early summer in the Northern Hemisphere, when supply is plentiful and prices are lowest. During this window, common varieties purchased from a local farmers market or grocery store may cost between $3 and $6 per stem.
Prices rise drastically outside of the peak season because blooms must be sourced from distant growing regions or grown in energy-intensive greenhouses. Off-season demand, particularly for weddings, drives the cost to a premium, sometimes reaching $10 to $15 per stem at a high-end florist. A floral arrangement of 10 stems from a full-service florist can easily cost $185 or more, reflecting the added labor and design expertise.
Variety and quality grading also contribute significantly to pricing. Highly demanded varieties like ‘Coral Charm,’ prized for its early bloom time and unique color, often command a premium over common pink or white types. Wholesale pricing is based on stem length and bloom head size. Longer, sturdier stems are graded highest, while shorter stems with smaller buds are often sold through lower-priced retail outlets like supermarkets.
Cost of Peony Plants and Bare Roots
For gardeners, costs vary based on the plant’s current state and genetic type. Bare roots are the most budget-friendly option, typically costing $15 to $30 for a standard herbaceous variety like ‘Sarah Bernhardt’. These roots are dormant divisions sold in the fall and are priced based on the number of “eyes,” which are the pink or white growth buds. A root with a minimum of two to three eyes is standard, and more eyes indicate a more mature, slightly higher-priced division.
Potted peony plants are actively growing and offer immediate establishment, making them generally more expensive than bare roots. They are often priced from $35 to $75 or higher. While they provide instant gratification, they may not offer the same selection of rare varieties found through specialty bare root suppliers.
Hybrid Peonies
Beyond common herbaceous peonies, prices increase substantially for hybrid types. Ito peonies, a cross between herbaceous and tree peonies, are mid-range in cost. Bare roots for popular varieties like ‘Bartzella’ start around $36 and can exceed $100 for larger or rarer specimens. Tree peonies represent the highest initial investment. They develop woody stems that do not die back in winter, allowing them to produce very large blooms. These can cost $60 to over $200 per plant, depending on their age and size.