Classic favorites for late spring display, peonies are prized for their large, colorful, fragrant blooms. Plants form an upright clump of dark green leaves that tend to fade in early summer, so plant behind another perennial or shrub to give some cover. Flowering is always best in a sunny location. Flowers make great arrangements and add nostalgia to the sunny border.
‘Kansas’ is an award-winning variety with large, fully double, dark reddish-pink flowers.
‘Karl Rosenfeld’ produces the best midseason double red peony.
‘Shirley Temple’ has big, 5 to 7″ soft blush pink blooms that lighten to cream.
‘Festival Maxima’ provides huge, double, pure white blooms.
‘Sarah Bernhardt’ is known for its large, 8″ fragrant blooms that range in color from soft to rose-pink, and sometimes even white.