Peonies have this quiet way of stealing the show—big, bold, and bursting with personality. I used to think they were just another pretty flower, but there’s so much going on behind those lush petals.
From their slow-motion bloom schedule to the quirky myths people have passed down, these flowers are full of surprises. Growing them has definitely taught me a thing or two about patience.
Let’s dig into the little-known facts that make peonies even more lovable.
1. Ancient Healing Powers
The roots and seeds of peonies were once considered powerful medicine in ancient China. Practitioners used them to treat everything from headaches to asthma, believing the plant contained special healing energy.
Even the Greek physician Hippocrates prescribed peony roots for various ailments. Modern research has actually confirmed some anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in these beautiful flowers, proving our ancestors might have been onto something after all.
2. Imperial Flower Status
During China’s Tang Dynasty, peonies were declared the national flower and only emperors could grow certain varieties. Gardens with rare peonies became symbols of extreme wealth and power, with some varieties worth more than gold by weight.
Anyone caught stealing imperial peonies could face severe punishment or even death. The flowers’ association with royalty continues today in many Asian cultures, where they symbolize honor, wealth, and high social status.
3. Ant Partnership
Have you noticed ants crawling all over your peony buds? Don’t reach for the insecticide! These tiny visitors are actually helpful garden allies, not pests. The buds secrete a sweet nectar that attracts ants.
In return, the ants protect the developing flowers from harmful insects that might damage them. Some gardeners even believe ants help peonies open by physically manipulating the tight buds, though scientists debate whether this is actually necessary.
4. Century-Long Lifespans
Unlike many perennials that need frequent division or replacement, peonies can thrive in the same spot for decades—sometimes even a century! Many gardeners inherit these plants from previous homeowners or family members.
There are documented cases of peony plants outliving several generations of gardeners. The key to their longevity is establishing deep root systems that shouldn’t be disturbed. This explains why peonies famously “sulk” after being transplanted, often refusing to bloom for several years.
5. Bloom Time Requirements
Peonies need a specific amount of winter chill to produce their magnificent flowers. Most varieties require between 400 and 1,000 hours below 40°F (4°C) during dormancy to trigger proper bud development.
Without this cold period, the plants might grow lush foliage but produce few or no blooms. This explains why peonies struggle in warm southern climates and why global warming concerns some peony enthusiasts who worry changing climate patterns might affect future flowering.
6. Dinner Plate Varieties
Some peony varieties produce blooms so enormous they’re nicknamed “dinner plate peonies.” These spectacular flowers can reach 8-10 inches in diameter—about the size of an actual dinner plate!
Growing these giants requires special care, as the massive blooms often become too heavy for their stems. Gardeners use support rings or stakes to prevent the flowers from flopping over. Varieties like ‘Bowl of Beauty’ and ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ are famous for their impressive size.
7. Symbolic Meanings
Different peony colors carry distinct symbolic meanings across cultures. White represents shame or regret in some traditions, while symbolizing purity in others. Pink peonies typically represent romance and prosperity.
Red varieties signify honor and respect, often appearing in important ceremonies. In Victorian flower language, peonies meant “bashfulness” due to the way nymphs supposedly hid in the flowers in Greek mythology. Today, they’re popular in wedding bouquets as symbols of happy marriage and good fortune.
8. Unusual Colors
While pink, white, and red peonies are most common, breeders have developed varieties in surprising hues. Coral Charm produces salmon-pink blooms that fade to yellow as they age, creating an ombré effect.
The elusive “blue peony” remains the holy grail for breeders, though true blue doesn’t exist yet. The closest are lavender-tinted varieties like ‘Lavender Waterfall’. Yellow peonies were once extremely rare but are now available thanks to crosses with their woodland cousins.
9. Fragrance Variations
Not all peonies are created equal when it comes to scent. Some varieties like ‘Festiva Maxima’ produce intoxicating rose-like fragrances that can perfume an entire garden, while others have little to no scent at all.
The fragrance can vary dramatically between types—some have spicy notes, others smell citrusy or sweet. Interestingly, single-flowered varieties typically have milder scents than their double-flowered cousins. Temperature and humidity also affect how strongly peonies release their perfume.
10. Tree Peonies
Unlike herbaceous peonies that die back in winter, tree peonies develop woody stems that remain year-round. These shrub-like plants can reach heights of 4-7 feet and live for over 100 years in ideal conditions.
Native to mountainous regions of China, tree peonies produce even larger flowers than their herbaceous cousins. The blooms can reach 12 inches across with spectacular colors and patterns! They’re slower to establish but incredibly drought-tolerant once mature, thanks to their deep taproot system.
11. Peony Banking
Florists use a technique called “peony banking” to extend the brief blooming season. They harvest buds when they’re in the “marshmallow stage”—soft and showing color but not yet open—and store them in refrigerators at specific temperatures.
These cold-stored buds can remain viable for weeks or even months! When brought to room temperature, they’ll open normally. This practice allows peonies to be available for summer weddings long after their natural bloom time has passed in gardens.
12. Intersectional Hybrids
Gardeners now enjoy remarkable peony varieties called Itoh or intersectional hybrids, created by crossing herbaceous and tree peonies. These botanical marvels were once thought impossible until Japanese breeder Toichi Itoh succeeded after thousands of attempts.
Itoh peonies combine the best traits of both parents—huge, colorful blooms from tree peonies with the die-back habit of herbaceous types. They produce an astonishing number of flowers per plant, sometimes exceeding 50 blooms in a single season on mature specimens.
13. Slow Development
Peonies are notorious for their patience-testing growth habits. When planted from bare roots, they typically take 3-5 years to reach full flowering potential, producing few or no blooms in their first seasons.
The plants focus initial energy on developing their extensive root systems rather than flowers. Gardeners have a saying: “First year they sleep, second year they creep, third year they leap.” This slow development explains their premium prices at nurseries—larger plants represent years of investment.
14. Cut Flower Secrets
For longest-lasting cut peonies, harvest them in the early morning when stems are filled with moisture. The ideal cutting stage is the “marshmallow stage”—when buds feel like soft marshmallows and show color but haven’t opened.
Remove all foliage that would sit below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth. A surprising trick: add a tablespoon of sugar to the vase water to feed the blooms. With proper care, cut peonies can last 7-10 days indoors, bringing their garden glory to your table.
15. Historical Documentation
Peonies have been documented in gardens for over 2,000 years, making them one of our oldest cultivated ornamental plants. Chinese imperial records from 536 BCE describe peony breeding programs and garden designs centered around these flowers.
European monastery gardens began growing peonies in the Middle Ages, primarily for medicinal uses. By the 1800s, French and British nurseries had developed hundreds of named varieties. Many historic varieties from the 19th century are still available today, virtually unchanged from their original form.
16. Edible Petals
Peony petals are actually edible and have been used in Chinese cuisine for centuries. The flowers are sometimes infused into tea or used to flavor special desserts and wines, imparting a subtle floral taste.
Only petals from garden-grown plants (never treated with chemicals) should be consumed. The roots and seeds contain compounds that can be toxic in large amounts. Crystallized peony petals were once a fashionable garnish for elaborate Victorian desserts.