Peonies are long-lived perennials that can grace a garden for decades, making them a worthwhile investment. The cost of adding one of these plants to your landscape varies significantly. Prices range from inexpensive options at mass retailers to substantially higher figures for rare or specialized cultivars. This variation is primarily determined by the peony’s classification, the format in which it is purchased, its age, and the type of retailer selling it.
Understanding Peony Types and Their Price Points
The three main classifications of peonies represent the largest differentiator in market price due to factors like breeding difficulty and growth rate. Herbaceous peonies (Paeonia lactiflora), which die back to the ground each winter, are the most common and the most affordable type. These varieties are easy to propagate through simple root division. A bare root herbaceous peony can often be acquired for a modest price, typically ranging from $10 to $25.
Tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) command a significantly higher price because they develop a woody, shrub-like structure that does not die back in the fall. Their slower growth and the complicated process of grafting them onto a rootstock contribute to increased production costs. A young tree peony can cost between $30 and $80, while larger, mature specimens or rare varieties can easily exceed $200 or $250.
Intersectional peonies, commonly known as Itoh peonies, represent the highest price point due to their complex hybrid genetics. These plants result from a cross between a tree peony and an herbaceous peony, combining the sturdy stems and unique flower colors of the tree type with the annual die-back habit of the herbaceous type. Because they are sterile, cannot be grown from seed, and are difficult to propagate, Itoh varieties are consistently priced higher, generally selling for $68 to $129 per root.
How Purchase Format and Maturity Affect Cost
The physical form in which a peony is bought—dormant root or active plant—is a major factor influencing its final price. Purchasing a peony as a bare root division is almost always the most cost-effective option. Bare roots are sections of the peony’s root system, sold dormant, with their cost often tied to the number of visible “eyes,” or buds, present.
A bare root division is cheaper because it requires less labor and no soil or pot from the grower. However, it demands more patience from the gardener, typically needing one to two years to produce its first blooms. A common bare root herbaceous peony can be found for as little as $15 to $25, offering considerable savings over a potted plant.
In contrast, a potted peony is a live, actively growing plant that has already spent time in a nursery, incurring costs for soil, container materials, and ongoing care. This higher investment buys the convenience of a leafy plant that provides instant visual impact and often a better chance of first-year blooms. The age of the plant is a direct cost multiplier; mature specimens, especially of the slower-growing tree and Itoh varieties, are priced much higher than young stock, reflecting the years of nurturing required.
Price Variation Across Different Retailers
The final price paid for a peony is dependent on the type of business handling the sale. Mass retailers and big box stores typically offer the lowest prices on common herbaceous varieties. These locations are ideal for budget-conscious buyers, though they often have limited selection and may offer bare roots with lower quality control compared to specialized sources. Shoppers can occasionally find discounts, sometimes up to 50% off, on potted plants toward the end of the spring season.
Local nurseries generally price their peonies in the mid-range, balancing affordability with quality assurance. These businesses provide better local expertise and typically maintain healthier stock than big box stores, though they may not carry the widest range of rare or newly introduced cultivars.
The highest prices are encountered at specialized online growers and mail-order nurseries. These specialty sources are the primary market for the most expensive Itoh and Tree Peonies, offering an extensive catalog of rare and heirloom varieties. While their prices are premium, the cost guarantees cultivar authenticity and provides access to the highest quality, often hand-selected root divisions.