PEONIES

Peonies (Paeonia)

Peonies are an integral component of herbaceous plantings and mixed borders. As a cut flower, they have no equal. Alluringly fragrant blooms, lush foliage, and a wide range of growth habits are key ornamental features. Our offerings include many award-winning introductions from the Klehm family.

Utilize as individual specimens or group in massed plantings. Plant in rows to create an effective and enchanting low hedge.

Cultural success is guaranteed given the plant receives adequate sunlight, well-drained soil, and sufficient moisture during the growth season.

Peonies require between 500-1000 winter chilling hours, between 32-40 degrees F to flower successfully.

Peonies exhibit a high degree of drought tolerance, pest and disease resistance, including deer damage.

Recommended to be hardy in USDA Zones 2-8.

We ship healthy, freshly dug bare root, 2-year-old peony plants, field grown on our farm, shipped in the fall, September through November, at the correct planting time for your gardening zone. While eye count will vary depending on the variety's growth characteristics, there should be ample eyes and root development to allow your plants to establish themselves nicely in your garden.

Hybridizing credit is listed under variety name.

Klehm Peony Cultivars
The Klehm family has shared their love and passion for growing and hybridizing peonies since the early 1900s. Today, Roy G. Klehm continues to create groundbreaking new varieties for your garden. Enjoy the finest recent introductions in our catalog.

Peony Guards

6 for $39.95 or
       $49.95 or
       $59.95
Shipping included
more details and pricing
 
 

Size We Sell

NOTE: All peonies are freshly dug, two-year bedded plants shipped bare root September through November.

How-To Videos/Press
Peony Care Sheet (pdf)
Fall Peony Care Sheet (pdf)

More planting info

Graphic: peony flower types

Hybrids

Hybrid peonies are the result of crossing or breeding two peony species together. This progeny has vivid, oriental poppy-like blossom colors of salmon, peach, coral, clear pink, fire-engine red and soft moonlight yellows. They bloom early in the season with shorter bush stature and lighter green vibrant foliage than regular garden peonies. Their planting and care are similar to growing any peony well. Hybrid peonies are excellent in the mixed perennial border or used in groups around patios, walkways and pools.

Professor A. P. Saunders Hybrids

A chemistry Professor at Hamilton College, Clinton, New York during the early part of the 20th century, Professor Saunders is today considered the "Father" of the modern hybrid peony. He carried out extensive, scientifically based breeding programs with both herbaceous and tree peonies with the assistance of friends at the New York Botanical Garden. His tree peony work centered on the intercrossing of two species, the yellow flowered P. lutea and the orange-red P. delavayi with existing classical Japanese Moutan varieties. The resultant progeny produced a range of flower colors from lemon and golden yellow to ivory and pearl shades frequently blended and suffused with purple and pink, plus a few strawberry-red cultivars. In all cases, the flowers are displayed above attractive cut-leaf foliage. Eventually his daughter, Silvia took over her father's nursery, and after several decades Professor Saunder's hybrids are still in great demand by gardeners worldwide.

Best Sellers 2013

Most popular with our customers! It is always interesting to see what plants other enthusiastic gardeners choose most frequently. Some best sellers are new this year, some are returning favorites, but each has something special to offer in your garden.

Good for Cut Flowers

Cut Flower tips

Cut blooms in the cool of the day. Do not cut more than one third of a plant's stems and foliage, leave plenty to nourish the plant for future growth. Re-cut stems at an angle just before putting in a vase. Make the fresh cuts under water for best water uptake. Change water in the vase frequently.

Experiment and have fun: store-bought blooms need to withstand shipping, but home gardeners can snip even delicate blooms for bouquets!

New in 2013

We are happy to offer our customers new plant varieties including many that are exclusive to our company or extremely difficult to locate. Our selections are based upon many outstanding features including extended seasonal interest of flowers, foliage and overall form combined with ease of culture. We hope you enjoy these selections!