Yes, if you want to add red peony to your flower garden this season, it’s important to choose the right flower. We’ve selected our favorite red peonies to help you enhance your flower beds with vibrant colors. Consider these options for a bold and captivating display in your garden.
The red peony is a beloved flower for gardens and bouquets, and for good reason. Not only are peonies stunning with their large, beautiful blooms, but they are also remarkably resilient. With some varieties lasting over a week in a vase, these perennial flowers can bring joy for decades when planted in your garden.
Peonies come in different species, including herbaceous (long-stemmed), woody (shrubs), and hybrids like Itoh Peonies. Additionally, peonies showcase a diverse range of flower types. Here are some of the main types to explore:
Peonies exhibit various flower types, each with its own unique characteristics:
- Single: This type features five to fifteen petals encircling a central cluster of stamens.
- Japanese: Similar to singles, Japanese peonies have staminodes that contain enclosed pollen.
- Anemone: In this type, the stamens have transformed into petal-like structures while retaining their yellow hue.
- Bomb: The stamens of bomb peonies develop into inner petals, matching the color of the surrounding petals.
- Semi-Double: With additional layers of petals surrounding the center stamens, semi-double peonies create a fuller appearance.
- Full Double: These peonies possess a two-stage anatomy, with both stamens and carpals transformed into petals.
These diverse flower types offer a wide range of visual appeal for your garden or floral arrangements.
When it comes to the requirements, red peonies share similar preferences. They thrive in full sun, although they can tolerate partial shade in the afternoon. Most red peonies flourish in zones 3 to 8. Now, let’s delve into the exciting part: choosing the perfect red peonies to infuse bold colors into your garden this season! We have carefully selected our favorite varieties, complete with names and accompanying pictures. Get ready to explore and discover your ideal red peony companions!
‘Buckeye Belle’
- Scientific Name: Paeonia ‘Buckeye Belle’
- Shade of Red: Deep crimson
- Flowering Period: Early
- Plant Size: 2–3 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full or partial sun Plant Zone: 3–8
Buckeye Belle peonies are truly awe-inspiring. Their blooms exhibit a glossy deep red hue, complemented by striking golden stamens nestled within. In recognition of their excellence, these hybrid flowers were awarded the prestigious Gold Medal by the American Peony Society in 2010.
With an average diameter of five to six inches, their blossoms command attention. These low-maintenance perennials exhibit remarkable resilience, tolerating various soil types and bravely withstanding encounters with deer and rabbits.
Not only do Buckeye Belles make exquisite show flowers, but they also attract delightful butterflies to grace your garden with their presence.
‘Cherry Hill’
- Scientific Name: Paeonia ‘Cherry Hill’
- Shade of Red: Crimson and scarlet
- Flowering Period: Very early
- Plant Size: 3’–4’
- Sun Exposure: Full or partial sun
- Plant Zone: 3–8
Cherry Hill peonies are known for their vigorous growth and luxurious appearance. These plants boast abundant, full double blooms that shimmer with richness, accompanied by attractive green foliage.
Although the individual flowers may be smaller compared to some other peony varieties, Cherry Hill compensates by blooming profusely, making it an excellent decorative flower for the early part of the season.
Similar to other peonies, the Cherry Hill variety is resilient and requires minimal maintenance. They can withstand encounters with creatures like deer, while also attracting pollinators to your garden as your later-blooming plants start to flourish.
‘Command Performance
- Scientific Name: Paeonia ‘Command Performance’
- Shade of Red: Starts bright red but changes color
- Flowering Period: Midseason
- Plant Size: 2–3 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 3–7
Command Performance peonies are renowned and cherished for their mesmerizing color-changing petals. When these flowers initially bloom, they flaunt a vivid, cardinal red hue that can span an impressive diameter of up to nine inches. After a few days, the color gracefully transitions to a deep orange shade.
Over the following days, the petals continue their captivating transformation, shifting from orange to salmon, then to peach, and further evolving into cream before culminating in a delicate white.
It’s worth noting that Command Performance peonies are slightly more delicate compared to other varieties. They thrive when provided with full sun exposure and may struggle if the soil is overly saturated with water.
Additionally, this particular peony variety blooms during the midseason, setting it apart from the majority of peonies that typically bloom earlier in the season. Embrace the enchantment of Command Performance peonies as they unveil their stunning color metamorphosis, a spectacle that adds a touch of magic to any garden.
‘Diana Parks’
- Scientific Name: Paeonia ‘Diana Parks’
- Shade of Red: Ruby red
- Flowering Period: Early
- Plant Size: 3–4 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full or partial sun
- Plant Zone: 3–8
The Diana Parks variety of peony is a remarkable and attention-grabbing flower. These plants produce striking, large double-flowers in a vibrant shade of red. Not only are they visually captivating, but they also emit a delightful fragrance, making them a perfect choice for cut flower arrangements.
Featuring robust stalks and lush foliage, the Diana Parks peony is as resilient as other peony varieties. They thrive in full sun exposure and have the added benefit of being resistant to deer. However, it’s worth noting that the petals of Diana Parks peonies do not have a long lifespan once the plant begins to flower.
Despite their short-lived petals, the Diana Parks peonies make a dramatic statement in gardens and floral displays, showcasing their vibrant red hues and infusing the air with their pleasant scent.
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‘Eliza Lundy’
- Scientific Name: Paeonia ‘Eliza Lundy’
- Shade of Red: Scarlet
- Flowering Period: Very early
- Plant Size: 2’
- Sun Exposure: Full or partial sun
- Plant Zone: 3–8
The Eliza Lundy peony is a charming and compact variety among peonies. These plants typically reach a height of around two feet, making them smaller in stature. Despite their size, the bomb-type flowers of Eliza Lundy peonies boast dense clusters of bright red petals, spanning approximately five inches in diameter.
Although considered a dwarf variety, Eliza Lundy peonies exhibit strength and resilience. They can thrive in full sun exposure and adapt well to various soil types. Similar to other peonies, Eliza Lundy is deer-resistant, providing protection against browsing animals, and it also attracts pollinators, making it a pollinator-friendly choice.
Notably, the exceptional qualities of Eliza Lundy peonies were acknowledged when they were awarded the prestigious Gold Medal by the American Peony Society in 2016.
‘Hephestos’
- Scientific Name: Paeonia ‘Haphestos’
- Shade of Red: Deep brick red
- Flowering Period: Midseason
- Plant Size: 2’–6’
- Sun Exposure: Full to partial
- Plant Zone: 4–9
Named after the Greek god of fire, Haphestos peonies are known for their striking and dramatic presence. These plants produce captivating dark red blooms adorned with stunning golden stamens. Towering above silvery-green leaves, the flowers command attention with their eye-catching beauty. Not only are they visually appealing, but they also emit a delightful fragrance, making them an excellent choice for cut flower arrangements.
As a tree peony, Haphestos peonies are reliable perennials that require minimal maintenance. They are known for their longevity and can grace your garden for years to come without needing any special care.
The exceptional qualities of Haphestos peonies were recognized by the American Peony Society when they were awarded the esteemed Gold Medal in 2009.
‘Many Happy Returns’
- Scientific Name: Paeonia ‘Many Happy Returns’
- Shade of Red: Warm red
- Flowering Period: Early
- Plant Size: 2’–3’
- Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
- Plant Zone:3–8
The Many Happy Returns peony is a remarkable three-flower hybrid that showcases a warm red, bomb-style bloom. These peonies possess a gentle fragrance and boast color that remains vibrant even under the sun’s rays. Their foliage is dense and bushy, adorned with glossy, dark green leaves.
Not only is the Many Happy Returns peony visually stunning, but it is also low-maintenance and highly resistant to pests. Its robust nature makes it an excellent companion for other perennials, and it attracts a plethora of pollinators to your garden.
The outstanding qualities of the Many Happy Returns peony have been recognized by the American Peony Society, earning it two prestigious awards. It received the Gold Medal Award in 2007 and the Award of Landscape Merit in 2009, further highlighting its exceptional attributes.
Embrace the vivacity of the Many Happy Returns peony as it brings joy to your garden, gracing it with its captivating blooms and attracting a delightful array of pollinating visitors.
FAQs
Peonies, with their beauty and allure, encompass a range of symbolic meanings. These captivating flowers signify ephemerality, reminding us to appreciate life’s fleeting moments. They also embody bashfulness, expressing modesty and subtlety. Additionally, peonies represent wealth, abundance, bravery, and honor, evoking prosperity and courage. With their healing properties, they offer solace and rejuvenation.
Most notably, peonies symbolize eternal love, signifying unwavering affection that transcends time. Through their rich symbolism, peonies captivate hearts and souls, reminding us of life’s impermanence, the importance of modesty, the pursuit of prosperity, the strength to face challenges, the power of healing, and the enduring bonds of love.
Peonies display a captivating array of colors, with pink being particularly beloved. Pink peonies exude romance and hold deep cultural significance as symbols of good luck and prosperity. A bouquet of pink peonies represents wealth and honor, which may explain why they have been designated as the official flower for the 12th wedding anniversary.
Peonies are renowned for their associations with romance, elegance, honor, wealth, and abundance in the realm of flower symbolism. These exquisite blooms are particularly sought-after for summer wedding bouquets, adding a touch of beauty and allure to the celebrations. Notably, peonies hold the distinction of being the official flower for the 12th wedding anniversary, symbolizing a love that has blossomed and flourished over time. Furthermore, the peony holds a special place as the state flower of Indiana, representing the natural beauty and charm of the region.
Final Thoughts
Peonies are superb additions to any garden, boasting a multitude of desirable qualities. These low-maintenance plants thrive in various soil types and flourish under the warm embrace of the sun. As perennials, they grace your garden year after year, bringing renewed beauty with each blooming season. While red peonies are popular, these captivating flowers also exist in an array of shades, including oranges, yellows, pinks, and whites.
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