The peony family has 34 species, and today more than five thousand varieties are officially registered. The vast majority are herbaceous plants and only about 500 varieties are tree-like. These magnificent flowers begin to bloom in the period from mid-May to the end of June, depending on the region of growth.
Specialists distinguish two types of peonies - tree-shaped and grassy. The best varieties of peonies with photos and names we will present to you in this review.
Grassy peonies
This variety is very popular all over the world. Plants are widely used for decoration of gardens, parks, squares, private households from the beginning of the XVII century. Thanks to the work of breeders around the world today, there are over 4.5 thousand varieties of grassy peonies. More than 500 varieties are cultivated in our country. These wonderful flowers can be seen in almost every corner of Russia and even in Siberia.
If you want to choose the most beautiful flowers for growing in a garden or summer cottage or to decorate with them the territory of a private household, check out the names and photos of varieties of grassy peonies presented in this material. Perhaps this will help you choose the most spectacular bushes.
The list below includes the best varieties of peonies, which are most popular in our country, and several forms that experts consider promising. Their description was prepared on the basis of long observations and conclusions of botanists.
Peony Classification
To make it easier for you to navigate the variety of varieties, you need to understand the principle of classification of these plants. According to the structure of the flower, peonies are divided into:
1. Non-double
Compact bushes with graceful and delicate, very large (up to 20 cm) flowers. In the center of the buds are numerous long stamens, often painted in a contrasting color to the petals.
2. Anemone
The flowers of these plants have rather wide lower petals and shorter central ones, which gather in the shape of a ball.
3. Terry
This species, in turn, is divided into:
- crown - flowers consist of three tiers (they are very large, reaching 20 cm in diameter);
- palatable - with rounded buds and a very strong and pleasant aroma.
4. Pink and semi-pink
Flowers have many stamens in the center of the flower and a large palette of colors.
Practically in all floriculture reference books there is a lot of information about grassy peonies - with photos and names. The stories are accompanied by information on the timing of flowering plants. All varieties are divided into phenogroups:
- from May 20 to May 31 - early;
- from June 1 to June 10 - early;
- from June 16 - middle and late.
Having planted peonies of different flowering periods on your plot, you can enjoy the flowering of these amazing plants for more than two months.
Terry varieties
Judging by the reviews, gardeners give particular preference to these varieties of grassy peonies. Photos and names of such plants, posted below, will help you choose pets for your garden. Such bushes create bright, spectacular accents in the front garden. Below we list the best varieties of grassy peonies. A photo does not always convey the charm of these colors, but you can get a general idea of these beauties.
Crown peonies
The flowers of this variety consist of three tiers. The upper one forms the so-called crown of petals, and it gave the name to this group.
Anastasiya (Anastasia)
Domestic middle-early variety. Very delicate and lush inflorescences are painted in a pink and cream shade. In the center of the flower is a raspberry core, on which yellow stamens look especially bright. The bush of this variety is medium in height (100 cm), super drought and frost resistant.
Avant guard
This is a hybrid of a peony, whose flower has a simple shape, with rounded petals. Diameter - about 12 cm. This variety was bred in France in 1907, the flower is painted in pearl pink shades. Filaments are small, carmine-colored, with red anthers. This variety blooms in late May.
Barbara
Terry peony of medium maturity. Flowers with bright pink petals form a crown shape. The hat formed by densely packed staminodes (modified stamens) has a delicate delicate aroma.
Eden's perfume
The best varieties of terry peonies can safely be attributed to Edens Perfume. A plant with fairly large flowers of pearl pink color (up to 15 cm). Refers to varieties of medium flowering period.
Spherical Peonies: Red Charm
The plant has huge spherical inflorescences and is rightfully recognized as the best of the red varieties of peonies. The flower reaches a diameter of 25 cm and completely does not fade in the sun. The advantage of this variety is considered to be elastic and strong stems that perfectly hold rather heavy inflorescences with a delicate and light aroma.
Raspberry sundae
Reviews of peonies of the Raspberry Sundae variety are enthusiastic. These flowers are unique: they have a very interesting color: the delicate outer pink petals surround the yellow-cream core. Interestingly, the flowers have a rich pink aroma.
The plant is medium flowering. The bush is quite compact, with shiny dark green foliage.
Pink Peonies: Moonglow
Many floriculture publications focus on rosaceae varieties of peonies. Photos and descriptions of them allow you to appreciate the beauty of plants. Moonglow is a variety of American breeding. The culture attracts lovers of grassy varieties with lush buds of an unusual creamy white color, with a slight shade of green.
This variety belongs to the late - flowering begins in the second half of June and lasts for ten days. The plant has a strong and vibrant aroma.
Etched salmon
Etched Salmon - peonies of the American selection with delicate peach-pink petals. The plant delights with its superbly folded inflorescence, over time it burns out a bit in the sun. No less attractive is the smell of these flowers - fresh lemon. The variety is winter-hardy and resistant to most diseases typical of this culture.
Non-double
We continue our review of peony varieties with a description of non-double species. Among them, early and super early varieties predominate. They look spectacular and original in combination with blooming tulips.
Coral'n gold
An early variety with large flowers of the original coral hue and with long yellow stamens. Flowers look exquisitely against the background of a dark green tall bush.
Altai News
We present to your attention the best varieties of peonies with photos. Altai News is recognized as one of the best Russian varieties. The flower has a simple shape, but most of all it is fascinating with an unusual pink-lilac, with a light mother of pearl shade and beautiful corrugated petals.
An amazingly good bush of this variety during the flowering period is powerful, tall (100 cm), with strong and thick stems that easily withstand up to 70 fragrant inflorescences. Flowering is very long - from late May to late June.
Japanese peonies
In recent years, the varieties of peonies of this group have become increasingly popular among Russian flower growers due to the variety of shades and the original shape of inflorescences with rather long staminodynia.
Akron
An amazing variety with a very rare peony wine-lilac color of the petals and openwork staminodes with cut cream-colored tips. This species blooms quite late, has a very pleasant tart aroma.
Ama-no-sode
This is a fairly old variety of peonies of Japanese selection, well-established. He is very popular among Russian flower growers. The flower is very large with two-row petals of delicate pink tones. Staminodia densely "stuffed", flat. In the center they are painted in a rich cream color. It blooms late, has a bright and rich aroma.
Bu te
Extremely spectacular, and this variety with modified yellow stamens and snow-white petals. Flowers in diameter reach 20 cm, flowering begins quite late in late June. The bush is very strong and powerful (over 100 cm in height).
Dwarf Peonies
In a special group of flower growers include peonies, characterized by a supercompact shape. In height they do not exceed 60 cm. Usually they are grown in mini-gardens on loggias, balconies, in containers.
Rome patio
The compact bush of Rome Patio (50 cm) has bright pink flowers. The buds open in mid-June. The bushes have a large number of side buds, which prolongs the flowering time. Perfectly develops in pots and containers. Dwarf varieties include:
- ruby red Moscow;
- snow-white with cream stamens Madrid;
- pink and scarlet Oslo.
Tree Peonies: Features
Tree-like or semi-shrubby peony is a hybrid plant of the peony family. Although some scientists do not distinguish it in a separate form, but refer to the group of forms and varieties of hybrid origin. Most of these plants grow in China. It should be noted here that these varieties are mostly the result of the hard work of Chinese breeders.
This variety was introduced to Europe at the end of the 18th century. These plants are deciduous shrubs, reaching a height of two meters. The stems are erect and thick, painted in a light brown color. They do not die off every autumn, on the contrary, they grow every year and eventually turn the plant into a huge bush, shaped like a ball.
The leaves of this variety are twice pinnate, ornamental, openwork. Plants have very large flowers. Often in diameter they exceed 20 cm, which are located at the ends of the shoots and can have different colors - yellow, white, raspberry, pink and even two-tone.
The peculiarity of tree-shaped peonies is also that the older the plant grows, the more flowers bloom on it. These peonies bloom for half a month earlier than grassy, and this process lasts about three weeks. In addition, tree peonies are cold resistant. Their cultivation in a temperate climate is not difficult. But if in your region the temperature drops too low in winter, then it is recommended to opt for special frost-resistant varieties (Peter the Great, Hoffman, Moscow University).
Tree-shaped peonies: varieties with photos and names. Auguste Dessert
The plant has terry and semi-double flowers, which are very reminiscent of their appearance cakes with air cream. Gardeners are especially delighted with the most delicate peony petals - they shimmer in bright pink and are framed by a silver edging. This color combination gives the plant an original and sophisticated look.
Peonies of this variety look great on flower beds and are stored in cut flowers for a long time.
Hoffman
Spreading and multi-stemmed bushes, which in length can reach 1.2 meters in height. Peduncles are quite durable. Petals of flowers are painted in a delicate pink tint, and at their base you can see small strokes of raspberry tint. The flowers are semi-double, closed, one at a peduncle, with a diameter of about 17-18 centimeters.
Flowering of this beautiful plant begins in late May and lasts about two weeks. The Hoffman variety is resistant to many diseases and low temperatures, ideal for decorating flower beds and flower beds, and is used for urban landscaping.
Green jade
A feature of this variety are very unusual flowers, painted in green. They are round in shape, large and terry. Petals fit tightly together in the center of the bud, forming the so-called peony tree. An adult bush reaches a height of one and a half meters.
The plant blooms very early - in April - and continues to delight the eye until the beginning of June. The stems of such a bush are thick, durable and quite flexible. The variety is hardy to many diseases, loves brightly lit, sunny areas and develops well in places protected from the wind.
Delaway
This is a magnificent decorative variety that begins to bloom in early June. The leaves of the flowers are twice pinnate, about 25 centimeters long. The upper side of the plate is saturated green, the lower side is lighter. They are planted on fairly long petioles (up to 15 cm). Each leaf is divided into ovoid-lanceolate segments.
The flowers are solitary, located at the ends of the shoots. Each of them consists of nine petals having an elliptical shape. They are painted in dark purple or dark raspberry shade. Peonies of this variety grow well on moist, nutritious, well-drained soil. Prefer sunny places. The plant is resistant to cold, but in winter the root system should be covered with dry foliage and spruce branches.
We presented you the best varieties and names of peonies. Which one to choose is up to you. And the choice, as can be understood from the article, is great. Perhaps you can help determine the reviews of connoisseurs and lovers of these plants.
Reviews and tips for gardeners
Most gardeners who grow these magnificent flowers in their plots consider that both grassy and tree-like varieties are suitable for planting in a garden or summer cottage. True, many consider tree species that are usually earlier to be easier to care for and more spectacular.
To enjoy flowering longer, many gardeners recommend planting varieties with different flowering periods on the plot, and use compact dwarf varieties to decorate balconies and loggias.