A Beginner's Guide To Peony Types

Isn't there just something utterly magical about peonies? With their lush, ruffled petals and scent that can fill a room, it’s no wonder they’re a favourite from royal gardens to beautiful homes. They are the star of late spring, popping up in wedding bouquets, on our Instagram feeds, and as the most thoughtful gift you can give or receive.

We believe everyone deserves a touch of everyday luxury. We’re passionate about bringing you the most stunning, premium peonies without the hefty price tag. 

And the best part? We deliver them right to your doorstep, fresh and on time.

A Little Bit of Peony History

Before we dive into the different types, let's take a little trip back in time. The peony isn't just a pretty face; it has a rich and fascinating history. Its story begins in China over a thousand years ago, where it was revered as the "king of flowers" (花王, huawang). It was so treasured that it was grown in the imperial palace gardens of the Tang dynasty and became a recurring motif in Chinese art, symbolising wealth, honour, and high status. Beyond its beauty, it was also a staple in traditional medicine.

From the East, the peony began its journey westward along the Silk Road. It captivated gardeners in Europe, particularly in France and England during the 18th and 19th centuries. European horticulturalists fell head over heels, cultivating many of the classic herbaceous varieties we adore today, like the iconic 'Sarah Bernhardt'.

The 20th century brought even more exciting developments. American breeders began experimenting, creating incredible new colours like the vibrant corals and sunny yellows that feel so modern. But perhaps the most groundbreaking moment came in 1948 from a Japanese botanist named Toichi Itoh. 

After years of patient work, he achieved what was once thought impossible: he successfully crossed a woody tree peony with a classic herbaceous peony. The result was a brand new category, the Intersectional or 'Itoh' hybrid, a robust and breathtaking flower that combines the best qualities of both its parents. This incredible innovation shaped the peony world as we know it today.

The Three Main Peony Families: From Common to Rare

Alright, let's get down to the lovely details! When you’re choosing a peony, it generally falls into one of three main families. We'll start with the familiar beauties you see most often and work our way to the truly special finds that are a gardener’s delight.

A. The Ever-Popular Herbaceous Peonies

When you picture a classic, bountiful bouquet of peonies, you're most likely thinking of an herbaceous peony. These are the darlings of the floral world, and for good reason.

• What they are: Known scientifically as Paeonia lactiflora, these are the traditional garden peonies. They grow from tuberous roots (a bit like a sweet potato!), and their lush, green foliage dies back to the ground every autumn before bursting forth again in the spring. They are perfectly suited for growing in climates with a distinct change of seasons.
• Why we love them: Two words: fragrance and form. Herbaceous peonies produce some of the most heavenly scents in the flower kingdom. They are the workhorses of the cut flower industry because their sturdy stems and incredibly full, photogenic blooms make them ideal for arrangements.
• Popular Flower Forms of Herbaceous Peonies: This is where it gets really fun, as the petal arrangements create different "styles."
• Double: This is the quintessential peony look. It’s packed with so many petals you can’t even see the centre, creating a luxurious, fluffy ball. Classic examples: 'Sarah Bernhardt' (the famous soft pink), 'Karl Rosenfield' (a rich magenta), and 'Festiva Maxima' (a fragrant pure white with flecks of crimson).
• Bomb: This style is pure drama! It features a large, single row of "guard" petals at the base, with a tightly packed, spherical tuft of smaller petals in the centre, creating a "bomb" effect. Popular examples: 'Red Charm' (a deep, velvety red) and 'Raspberry Sundae' (a delicious mix of cream, yellow, and raspberry pink).
• Anemone: Elegant and unique, this form has a ring of large outer petals and a fluffy centre made of smaller, petal-like structures called petaloids. It looks like a flower within a flower. A stunning example: 'Bowl of Beauty' (vibrant pink outer petals with a pale, creamy yellow centre).
• Single: For the minimalist at heart. This form is simple and sweet, with a single row of 5-10 petals surrounding a clearly visible, golden centre of stamens. An elegant example: 'Krinkled White' (pure white petals with a crinkled, crepe-paper texture).

Our fresh flower bouquets often feature magnificent herbaceous peonies like the 'Sarah Bernhardt'. We take great care to source them from the best growers and deliver them in bud form. This way, you get the magical experience of watching them unfurl their gorgeous petals right before your eyes, filling your home with beauty and fragrance.

B. The Less Common Tree Peonies

If herbaceous peonies are the belles of the ball, tree peonies are the regal queens. They are less common but command attention wherever they grow.

• What they are: Don't let the name fool you; they aren't actually trees! They are small, woody shrubs (Paeonia suffruticosa). The key difference is that their woody stems don't die back in winter. Instead, they remain year-round, and the plant gets bigger and produces more flowers each year.
• Unique Features: Tree peonies are famous for their absolutely enormous flowers. We’re talking dinner-plate-sized blooms that can reach up to 25 cm across! The petals often have a delicate, crepe-paper-like texture, and they bloom a bit earlier in the season than their herbaceous cousins.
• Why they're less common: They are more of a long-term investment for a dedicated gardener. They grow more slowly and are pricier to purchase as plants. While their blooms are breathtaking, they often have shorter stems, making them less common in the cut flower trade but a spectacular sight in a garden. Their rarity only adds to their allure.
• Stunning Examples: 'High Noon' (a cheerful semi-double yellow) and 'Shima Nishiki' (a showstopper with dramatic red and white striped petals).

C. The Rarest: Intersectional or 'Itoh' Peonies

Now for the crème de la crème of the peony world—the Itoh peony. Named after the brilliant Toichi Itoh, these hybrids are the perfect marriage of the other two types.

• The Best of Both Worlds: As we mentioned in our little history lesson, Itohs are a cross between a tree peony and an herbaceous peony. They truly inherit the best traits from both parents.
• Key Characteristics: Itohs boast the enormous, exotic-looking flowers and lush, finely cut foliage of a tree peony. However, they have the growth habit of an herbaceous peony, dying back to the ground in winter and re-emerging in spring. Their stems are incredibly sturdy, meaning their huge flowers stand tall and proud without needing any support or staking. The best part? They have a much longer blooming season, producing a succession of flowers for up to three or four weeks!
• Why they're the rarest: Propagating Itoh peonies is a very slow and difficult process, which makes them a true collector's item and often carries a higher price tag. They are a symbol of horticultural artistry.
• Coveted Examples: 'Bartzella' (the most famous Itoh, with huge, fragrant, butter-yellow flowers), 'Cora Louise' (stunning white blooms with deep lavender flares at the centre), and 'Julia Rose' (a magical flower that opens cherry red, then fades to apricot-orange and finally yellow).

Understanding Peony Colours

Choosing a flower isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s also about sending a message. Peonies bloom in a breathtaking spectrum of colours, each carrying its own special symbolism. Let's decode their beautiful language.

• Pink Peonies: The quintessential peony colour. Soft pinks symbolise romance, compassion, and good fortune, making them the ultimate wedding flower. A deeper, hot pink can express appreciation and gratitude.
• White or Cream Peonies: These elegant blooms represent purity, bashfulness, and sincere apology. A bouquet of white peonies is a timeless and graceful way to say, "I'm sorry." They also symbolise beauty and innocence.
• Red Peonies: Unsurprisingly, a deep red peony is a symbol of passionate love, honour, and deep respect. In Chinese culture, red is the colour of prosperity and is considered very auspicious. It’s a bold and powerful statement of affection.
• Coral Peonies: These vibrant, happy flowers are all about excitement, success, and happy relationships. Their cheerful colour makes them a perfect gift to celebrate a new job, a new home, or a new friendship.
• Yellow Peonies: Sunny and bright, yellow peonies—often found in the Itoh varieties—symbolise new beginnings, happiness, and friendship. They are the perfect way to send a cheerful "get well soon" or "congratulations."

Whether you're celebrating a milestone anniversary with passionate reds or sending well wishes with cheerful yellows, we have the perfect peony for every sentiment. And if you want that beautiful message to last, our preserved flower options capture that bloom in its prime, allowing it to grace a space for a year or more.

Choosing Your Perfect Peony

So, with all this newfound knowledge, how do you pick the right one for you?

• For the Home Gardener in Singapore: For a beautiful seasonal show in pots, herbaceous peonies are a great choice. If you have the space and want a long-term, low-maintenance showstopper, an Itoh peony would be a fantastic and rewarding investment.
• For the Perfect Fresh Flower Bouquet: You can't go wrong with herbaceous peonies. Their strong stems, incredible fragrance, and classic beauty make them the star of any arrangement. The full double and dramatic bomb forms are absolute showstoppers that are sure to elicit a "wow!"
• For Long-Lasting Beauty: Love the peony aesthetic but wish it wasn't so fleeting? This is where our preserved and dried peonies shine. Through a special preservation process, the natural beauty and soft texture of the peony are captured, offering a touch of elegance to your home or office for months, or even years. No watering, no fuss—just everlasting beauty.

Conclusion On Different Types Of Peonies

So there you have it, a whirlwind tour of the enchanting and diverse world of peonies! From the fragrant, classic herbaceous beauties that fill our bouquets to the rare and majestic tree peonies that grace stately gardens, and the innovative Itoh hybrids that give us the best of both, there truly is a perfect peony for every person and every occasion. Understanding their unique characteristics and rich history only makes them more special.

We hope you feel inspired to bring a little of this floral magic into your life. At Singapore Florist, our mission is simple: to make luxury affordable and accessible. 

Contact us today and explore our curated collection of fresh, preserved, and dried peonies today and experience that joy for yourself. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Different Types Of Peonies

What Are The Three Main Types Of Peonies?

The three main types are herbaceous peonies (classic garden peonies that die back in winter), tree peonies (woody shrubs with huge flowers that keep their stems year-round), and Intersectional (Itoh) peonies (a hybrid of the other two with large flowers and a long bloom season).

What Is The Most Popular Type Of Peony?

By far, the most popular and common type is the herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora). Varieties like the soft pink 'Sarah Bernhardt' are world-famous and a florist favourite for their beauty and fragrance.

What Is The Difference Between A Regular Peony And A Tree Peony?

The main difference is their growth habit. A regular (herbaceous) peony has soft, green stems and its foliage dies back completely to the ground in the autumn. A tree peony has hard, woody stems that persist through the winter, like a small shrub. Tree peonies also tend to have much larger flowers.

Which Peonies Are The Most Fragrant?

Generally, the double-flowered pink and white herbaceous varieties are the most fragrant. Cultivars like 'Festiva Maxima' (a classic white), 'Duchesse de Nemours' (a creamy white), and the ever-popular 'Sarah Bernhardt' (pink) are renowned for their beautiful, strong scent.

What Are Itoh Peonies?

Itoh peonies (or Intersectional peonies) are a hybrid created by crossing a tree peony with an herbaceous peony. They combine the best qualities of both: the large, exotic flowers of a tree peony and the hardy, easy-to-manage growth habit of an herbaceous peony.

Which Type Of Peony Blooms The Longest?

Itoh (Intersectional) peonies have the longest blooming season. Because they produce primary and secondary buds, a mature plant can bloom for an impressive 3-4 weeks, much longer than the typical 7-10 day bloom period of most herbaceous peonies.

What Do Different Color Peonies Symbolize?

Peony colours are rich with meaning! Pink often symbolizes romance and good luck, red represents deep love and honour, white stands for purity and apology, and yellow signifies happiness and new beginnings.