The peony family has 34 species, and over five thousand varieties have been officially registered to date. The vast majority are herbaceous plants and only about 500 varieties are tree-like. These luxurious flowers begin to bloom from mid-May to the end of June, depending on the region of growth.
Specialists distinguish between two types of peonies - tree-like and herbaceous. We will present the best varieties of peonies with photos and names in this review.
Grass peonies
This variety is very popular all over the world. Plants have been widely used to decorate gardens, parks, squares, private households since the beginning of the 17th century. Thanks to the work of breeders around the world, today there are over 4.5 thousand varieties of herbaceous 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 your garden or summer cottageor decorate the territory of a private household with them, check out the names and photos of the varieties of herbaceous peonies presented in this material. Perhaps this will help you choose the most spectacular bushes.
The list below includes the best varieties of peonies that are most popular in our country, and several forms that experts consider promising. Their description has been prepared on the basis of long observations and conclusions of botanical scientists.
Classification of peonies
To make it easier for you to navigate the variety of varieties, you need to understand the principle of classifying these plants. According to the structure of the flower, peonies are divided into:
1. Non-terrycloth
Compact bushes with graceful and delicate, very large (up to 20 cm) flowers. In the center of the buds are numerous long stamens, often colored in a contrasting color to the petals.
2. Anemones
The flowers of these plants have fairly wide lower petals and shorter central ones that gather in the shape of a ball.
3. Terrycloth
This species, in turn, is subdivided into:
- crown - flowers consist of three tiers (they are very large, reaching 20 cm in diameter);
- apparent - with rounded buds and a very strong and pleasant aroma.
4. Pink and semi-pink
The flowers have many stamens in the center of the flower and a large palette of colors.
Almost all reference books on floriculture have a lot of information about herbaceous peonies - with photos and names. The stories are accompanied by information abouttiming of flowering plants. All varieties are divided into phenogroups:
- from 20 to 31 May - extra early;
- from June 1 to 10 - early;
- from June 16 - middle and late.
By planting peonies of different flowering periods on your site, you can enjoy the flowering of these amazing plants for more than two months.
Terry varieties
Judging by the reviews, flower growers give particular preference to these varieties of herbaceous peonies. Photos and names of such plants 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 herbaceous peonies. The photo does not always convey the beauty of these flowers, but you can get a general idea of \u200b\u200bthese 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 mid-early variety. Very delicate and lush inflorescences are painted in a pink-cream shade. In the center of the flower is a crimson 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 Guarde
This is a peony hybrid 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 mother-of-pearl pink shades. The filaments are small, carmine in color, withred anthers. This variety blooms at the end of May.
Barbara
Terry peony of medium ripening. Flowers with bright pink petals form a crown shape. The cap, formed by densely stuffed staminodes (modified stamens), has a delicate delicate aroma.
Eden's Perfume
Edens Perfume can be safely attributed to the best varieties of terry peonies. A plant with rather large flowers of pearl pink color (up to 15 cm). Refers to varieties of medium flowering period.
Globular 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 does not fade in the sun at all. The advantage of this variety is elastic and strong stems that perfectly hold rather heavy inflorescences with a delicate and light aroma.
Raspberry Sundae
Reviews of Raspberry Sundae peonies are enthusiastic. These flowers are unique: they have a very interesting coloration: the most delicate outer pink petals surround a yellow-cream core. Interestingly, the flowers have a rich pink scent.
Plant of medium flowering time. The bush is quite compact, with glossy dark green foliage.
Pink Peonies: Moonglow
In many publications on floriculture, special attention is paid to pink varieties of peonies. Photo and description of themallow you to appreciate the beauty of plants. Moonglow is a variety of American selection. The culture attracts lovers of herbaceous varieties with lush buds of an unusual creamy white color, with a slight shade of green.
This variety is late - flowering begins in the second half of June and lasts for ten days. The plant has a strong and bright aroma.
Etched Salmon
Etched Salmon - peonies of American selection with delicate peach-pink petals. The plant delights with a superbly folded inflorescence, over time it fades a little 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 crop.
Non-double
Let's continue our review of peony varieties with a description of non-double species. Early and super-early varieties predominate among them. They look impressive and original in combination with blooming tulips.
Coral'N Gold
Early variety with large flowers of the original coral shade and with long stamens, painted yellow. Flowers look exquisite against the background of a dark green tall bush.
Altai news
We present to your attention the best varieties of peonies with photos. Novosti Altai is recognized as one of the best Russian varieties. The flower has a simple shape, but most of all it fascinates with an unusual pink-lilac, with a light mother-of-pearl shade and beautifulruffled petals.
The bush of this variety is surprisingly good during the flowering period - powerful, tall (100 cm), with strong and thick stems that can easily withstand up to 70 fragrant inflorescences. Flowering is very long - from the end of May to the end of June.
Japanese peonies
In recent years, peony varieties 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 staminodes.
Akron
An amazing variety with a wine-lilac color of petals, very rare for a peony, 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 rather old variety of peonies of Japanese selection, which has proven itself well. It is very popular among Russian flower growers. The flower is very large with two-row petals of delicate pink tones. Staminodes 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 effective and this variety with modified yellow stamens and snow-white petals. Flowers in diameter reach 20 cm, flowering begins quite late, at the end of June. The bush is very strong and powerful (more than 100 cm in height).
Dwarf peonies
Peonies that differ insuper compact form. In height, they do not exceed 60 cm. Usually they are grown in mini-gardens on loggias, balconies, in containers.
Rome Patio
Compact bush Rome Patio (50 cm) has bright pink flowers. The buds open in mid-June. Bushes have a large number of lateral buds, which prolongs the flowering time. Grows well in pots and containers. Dwarf varieties include:
- ruby red Moscow;
- pure white with creamy stamens Madrid;
- pink-scarlet Oslo.
Tree peonies: features
Tree or semi-shrub peony is a hybrid plant of the peony family. Although some scientists do not distinguish it as a separate species, but refer to the group of forms and varieties of hybrid origin. Most of these plants are native to China. It should be noted here that these varieties are for the most part the result of the hard work of Chinese breeders.
This variety was brought 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 light brown. They do not die off every autumn, on the contrary, they grow every year and eventually turn the plant into a huge ball-shaped bush.
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 onthe ends of the shoots and can have different colors - yellow, white, crimson, pink and even two-tone.
The peculiarity of tree-like peonies is that the older the plant gets, the more flowers bloom on it. These peonies bloom half a month earlier than herbaceous ones, and this process lasts about three weeks. In addition, tree-like peonies are cold-resistant. Their cultivation in temperate climates 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 peonies: varieties with photos and names. August Dessert
The plant has double and semi-double flowers, which are very reminiscent of their appearance cakes with air cream. Gardeners are especially admired by the most delicate peony petals - they shimmer with a bright pink color and are framed by a silvery edging. This color combination gives the plant an original and sophisticated look.
Peonies of this variety look great in flower beds and last long in cut bouquets.
Hoffman
Sprawling and multi-stemmed bushes that can reach 1.2 meters in length. Peduncles are quite strong. The petals of the flowers are painted in a delicate pink hue, and at their base you can see small strokes of crimson hue. The flowers are semi-double, closed, one per peduncle, about 17-18 centimeters in diameter.
The flowering of thisof a beautiful plant begins in the last days of 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, used for urban gardening.
Green Jade
Feature of this variety are very unusual flowers, painted in green. They are rounded, large and terry. The petals fit snugly 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 please the eye until early June. The stems of such a bush are thick, strong 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 ornamental variety that begins to bloom in early June. The leaves of the flowers are doubly pinnate, about 25 centimeters long. The upper side of the plate is painted in a rich green color, the lower side - in a lighter one. They are planted on fairly long petioles (up to 15 cm). Each leaf is divided into ovate-lanceolate segments.
Flowers solitary, located at the ends of the shoots. Each of them consists of nine petals that have an elliptical shape. They are painted in a dark purple or dark crimson hue. Peonies of this variety grow well in moist, nutritious, well-drained soil. They prefer sunny places. The plant is resistant to cold, but for the winterthe root system should be covered with dry foliage and spruce branches.
We have presented you the best varieties and names of peonies. Which one to choose is up to you. And the choice, as you can see from the article, is great. Perhaps the reviews of connoisseurs and lovers of these plants will help you decide.
Reviews and advice from flower growers
Most gardeners who grow these magnificent flowers on their plots believe that both herbaceous and tree varieties are suitable for planting in a garden or summer cottage. True, many consider tree-like varieties, which are usually earlier, easier to care for and more spectacular.
To enjoy flowering longer, many gardeners recommend planting varieties with different flowering periods on the plot, and using compact dwarf varieties to decorate balconies and loggias.
