Varieties, Colours and Timing

They are a cool climate perennial grown from tubers and they are completely at home here in Southland where the winter chill is required to set their buds. This herbaceous form of paeony does not grow in warmer parts of New Zealand but thrives in a cool frosty winter. Paeonies are dormant over winter and buds are set ready to burst into life in the form of shoots that appear in early spring. Fast growth of the herbaceous paeony develops with these buds now forming at the top of elongated stems to become the flower surrounded by glossy green leaves.  

Paeonies can be single, semi double, or double blooms. Yellow stamens show in a distinct centre surrounded by the paeony petals in the single and semi double forms and the double blooms have a more bomb like form where the petals are massive, closer together and more of one colour. Season timing of blooms indicated by Early (E), Mid-Season (M) Late Season (L) being from October through to December which is dependent on season changes each year.

Coral Paeonies

Coral Sunset-An outstanding coral double paeony, intense coral colour with overtones of rose. Blooms fade to yellow. Very strong stems. (E)
Coral Supreme- Salmon coral semi- double, Soft colour fades to yellow. (E)
Coral Charm- Peachy coral semi-double, brighter colour, rounder in form. (E)

White Paeonies

Miss America- A blush white paeony, semi-double, very floriferous  (E)
Moonstone- White double, with pink outer petals, looks like its name. (M)
Minnie Shaylor- A white semi-double, red stigmas, neat form. (M)
Avalanche- Creamy white double, blush tipped centre, good cut flower.
Bowl of Cream- White double, large bloom, strong stems. A show stopper.(M)
Honey Gold- Blush-yellowy white double, some semi-double, fragrant, (M)
Gardenia- Large double blush to white blooms, flower like in appearance. (M)
Duchess de Nemours- White double, yellowy and green tinges, fragrant. (M)
Bridal Gown- Well known white double, bomb flower, strong stems. (M)
Cheddar Cheese- Large white double with yellow overtones, fragrant.(L)

Red Paeonies

Red Charm- Deep red double, sought after, excellent cut flower. (E)
Karl Rosenfield- Wine red, double flowers with rose form.(M)
Maestro- Dark red double with fine bloom and rich colour. (M)
Kansas- Large purple-red double, bomb like blooms, lasts well. (M)
Chippewa- A dark red double, excellent form. (M)
Inspecteur Laverne- A scarlet deep red, good double with plenty of petals. (M)
Buckeye Belle- A dark maroon red, semi-double, large outer petals. (M)
Mighty Mo- Red semi-double, good shape and form. (M)
 

Pink Paeonies

Nick Shaylor- Blush pink fading to white, double, large buds. (L)
Mons Jules Elie- Large pink bomb, double, broad guard petals. (L)
My Pal Rudy- A late venetian pink, big buds, soft colour. (L)
James Pillow- A late light pink , double and good form, a good laster. (L)
Dinner Plate- Very large double flower, soft pink, flattish form. (L)
Glory Hallelujah- Very large deep pink, long stems, a big statement. (L)
Sarah Bernhardt-  Very well known pink of great style and form. (L)

Click Here to view the varieties of paeonies