The peony, admired for its lush, multi-petaled blooms and delicate fragrance, is one of the most highly sought-after flowers. Its visual appeal makes it a popular choice for immediate enjoyment in bouquets and for long-term cultivation in the garden. Acquiring these flowers involves two distinct supply chains: the retail market for fresh, cut stems and the horticultural market for planting material. This guide covers how and when to obtain these magnificent flowers, whether for a quick arrangement or for growing your own perennial display.
Finding Peony Blooms (Cut Flower Sources)
The availability of fresh-cut peony stems depends heavily on the supplier and the time of year. Traditional florists and online flower delivery services offer the greatest consistency, often sourcing imported blooms from regions with opposing seasons to provide them nearly year-round. This convenience often comes at a higher price point due to shipping and cold storage logistics.
For the best value during the peak growing period, local grocery stores and supermarkets are reliable sources. These high-volume retailers often stock domestic cuts at lower prices, though the varieties available tend to be more common. For unique varieties and the freshest product, visit local farmers’ markets or direct-purchase from regional flower farms. These sources offer blooms cut just hours before sale, ensuring maximum freshness.
Selecting a peony bud at the correct stage is important for maximizing vase life. The ideal bloom is one that is not fully open but has reached the “marshmallow stage.” At this point, the bud should feel soft and slightly spongy when gently squeezed, and the sepals should have just begun to pull back. Buds that are still hard like marbles are too immature and may fail to open entirely in the vase.
Acquiring Peonies for Planting (Roots and Potted Plants)
Peonies for long-term display are primarily purchased as either dormant bare roots or actively growing potted plants. Bare roots are the most common and cost-effective method, representing a root structure that has been dug up and divided while the plant is dormant. These are frequently purchased through specialty online nurseries or mail-order catalogs, which offer an extensive selection of cultivars.
Potted plants are typically sold at local garden centers and high-end nurseries. Although they are more expensive, they offer the advantage of immediate visual confirmation of the variety, allowing the buyer to see the foliage and sometimes the bloom itself. This form is useful for gardeners who prefer to skip the initial dormancy period and want a plant that is already established and actively growing.
When purchasing planting stock, you will encounter the three major types of peonies: herbaceous, tree, and intersectional (Itoh hybrids).
Herbaceous Peonies
These are the classic garden variety whose stems die back to the ground each winter.
Tree Peonies
These develop woody stems that persist year-round.
Intersectional (Itoh) Peonies
Itoh peonies are a cross between the two, offering the woody structure of a tree peony with the herbaceous habit of dying back.
The Peony Calendar (Seasonal Availability)
The timing of peony availability is governed by the plant’s natural growth cycle and the logistics of global sourcing. The window for fresh, domestic, field-grown cut flowers in the Northern Hemisphere runs from late spring through early summer, typically beginning in late April or May and concluding by late June. This seasonal peak provides the highest quality and most abundant selection of blooms.
Outside of the domestic season, florists maintain year-round availability by importing flowers from opposite hemispheres. For instance, countries in the Southern Hemisphere, such as Chile, supply blooms during their spring and early summer, which corresponds to the Northern Hemisphere’s autumn and early winter. This sourcing ensures the flower remains accessible, though at a higher cost due to international transport.
The planting schedule for garden stock is dictated by the plant’s need for a chilling period to set its flower buds. Bare roots are optimally planted in the fall, typically from late September through November, allowing the root system to establish itself before the ground freezes. This timing ensures the root receives the required cold exposure for blooming the following season.
Potted plants, which are already actively growing, are usually sold in the spring when they are beginning to emerge or are already in bloom. This offers a more flexible option for immediate planting.