How to start your own peony collection
Have you ever admired the beauty of a blooming peony and thought, I’d love to grow more of these? Starting a peony collection is an exciting and rewarding journey, one that anyone with a bit of garden space (and a bit of patience) can enjoy.
Every peony collection has a story. Mine began with a few heirloom plants passed down from family members. Those first peonies were more than just beautiful flowers. And although they remain without proper names, they recall living memories of where they came, connecting me to gardens tended long before my time.
In the early years, not knowing any better, I added to my collection with plants from local garden centers. Some turned out to be reliable performers; others were less impressive, sometimes mislabeled or slow to thrive. Still, every plant taught me something. Over time, I learned how to build a collection with greater care and intention.
If you’re thinking about starting your own peony collection, here are some simple steps to guide you.
Start with a few favorites
With hundreds of varieties available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Begin small by choosing three to five peonies that truly speak to you. You may want to include different types (herbaceous, tree, and intersectional) to enjoy varied flower forms and a longer bloom season. Keep in mind, however, that tree peonies may be less hardy depending on your growing zone.
As you make your selections, it’s also worth considering the extra care some peonies may require. Large, fully double flowers often need staking to keep blooms off the ground, especially after rain. On the other hand, Japanese and single peonies, as well as Itoh, can often stand on their own. Tree peonies, while stunning, may benefit from winter protection in colder climates. These added tasks aren’t difficult, but they are part of the long-term commitment of building a collection.
Whenever possible, start with peonies that have a story. These plants may come from a family garden, a friend’s border, or a variety you admire. They add a layer of meaning to your collection that no catalogue description can match. Even with years of knowledge and experience, you may never be able to put a name on some of them—and that’s perfectly fine. What matters is knowing where they come from. One magnificent white double peony in my garden, for example, came from my mother-in-law’s border and has followed me through forty years and two different homes.
Alternatively, you can experiment with lower-cost potted plants from garden centers to see whether growing peonies is a good fit for you before investing in more specialized varieties. These peonies can be just as rewarding and may bring you the same joy. Below is a selection of varieties that are commonly and easily found in nurseries. For instance, ‘Primevère’, which I bought for just $8, even earned me a red ribbon at the very first peony show I ever entered. ‘Bartzella’, my first Itoh peony, is still one of my most reliable performers, producing stunning flowers year after year, a must for any garden with at least the required sunlight.
Tip: Visit public gardens, peony society shows, or reputable nurseries to see mature plants in bloom. Seeing peonies in person helps you better appreciate differences in habit, fragrance, and color.
Plan your planting site
Peonies thrive in full sun (at least six hours a day) and in well-drained soil. Choose a location where they can remain undisturbed for many years, as peonies resent frequent moving. Good air circulation is also important to keep plants healthy.
You might dedicate an entire bed or border to peonies, or blend them among perennials and shrubs. Either way, allow plenty of space—mature peonies can grow quite large and deserve room to shine.
My own peony garden is primarily devoted to my cherished peonies, with 14 large borders, but over time, I have added lilies, daylilies, and irises (both bearded and Siberian) to extend the seasonal interest. At this point, I consider myself a collector of these perennials as well. Many of the same principles for building a peony collection apply just as well to other long-lived garden plants.
Choose quality plants and roots
While local garden centers can sometimes offer good plants, the strongest foundation for a lasting collection comes from reputable peony specialists. They provide true-to-name plants and often share valuable growing advice.
While fall is the ideal planting season, winter is when many specialized nurseries publish their online catalogues, starting in early January and continuing up to March. Those quiet months are perfect for dreaming, researching cultivars, and planning new additions. You will be ready to plant as soon as the roots become available in the fall. These catalogues are also an excellent source to learn more about different varieties, including their growth habits, bloom forms, and other characteristics, helping you make informed choices for your collection.
Look for bare-root divisions with firm, healthy roots and several visible “eyes” (buds). These will establish the best and reward you with strong growth in the years to come.
Tip: Try to buy locally. Consult vendor lists from your local peony society. I regularly refer to the Société québécoise de la pivoine’s commercial partners, the Canadian Peony Society’s member vendors, and the American Peony Society’s listings.
Think about bloom season and colour
To extend your enjoyment, select a mix of early-, mid-, and late-blooming varieties. Peonies come in shades ranging from crisp white and soft blush to deep crimson and sunny yellow. A thoughtful balance of colours and bloom times creates a longer, more captivating display in the garden.
In my own garden, my first border is almost filled with mid- to late-blooming peonies in soft pastel shades, and the result is stunning. In my other borders, I favour a more mix-and-match approach, blending colours and bloom times to create variety and visual interest throughout the season.
Keep good records
I wish I had started this sooner. Label your plants carefully and keep notes on what you plant, where it came from, and how it performs. It’s amazing how quickly a small collection can grow—and how easily details can be forgotten.
I also create a dedicated Pinterest board for my peonies as soon as I place an order. It allows me to save reference photos, descriptions, and notes in one place while I wait for planting time. I explain this system in more detail in a separate post, but it has become an invaluable planning and record-keeping tool for my collection.
A simple journal or spreadsheet is enough. Include the cultivar name, height, planting date, source, price, and bloom characteristics. As your collection expands, these records become invaluable for planning and long-term care.
Grow your collection gradually
Building a peony collection is a long-term project. Adding only a few new varieties each year allows you to focus on proper care while truly enjoying the plants as they mature. Your taste and interests may evolve, so this gradual approach lets you explore different colours, forms, and types without feeling overwhelmed.
Letting go of a plant is also okay. At some point, you may need to remove a peony (or a duplicate) to make room for a more desired variety. You can sell, donate, or share it with a fellow gardener, giving the plant a new home while making space for the next addition to your collection.
In my case, I often fill one or two borders each year, which means adding more than just a few peonies. I am really a collector at heart!
As we say in French, faites ce que je dis, pas ce que je fais (do what I say, not what I do). But I always move forward with a plan, a big dose of enthusiasm, and… a fair amount of elbow grease.
Consider a special focus
Some collectors choose to specialize, perhaps in the work of a particular hybridizer or within a specific group, such as Itoh peonies. Setting such boundaries can give a collection a clear identity and added value, much like focusing on a single style of pottery or porcelain.
Peonies bred by Prof. A. P. Saunders (1869–1953), an American often dubbed the “Father of the Modern Peony,” are particularly sought after by collectors. Although I do not deliberately collect his cultivars, I have come to realize how much I enjoy them. Shown here are six Saunders plants growing in my garden. Alternatively, I am especially interested in collecting more Canadian-bred peonies.
Connect with other peony enthusiasts
Joining a local peony society or an online group can open the door to shared knowledge, plant sales, and lasting friendships. That said, be aware that advice on some Facebook groups isn’t always reliable: cross-check tips when in doubt.
Many societies host flower shows and organize visits to public and private gardens. The peony show organized by the Société québécoise de la pivoine displays more than 1,000 cut peonies!
Volunteering is another wonderful way to learn from passionate gardeners and deepen your experience. Fellow collectors are often generous with guidance, and sometimes even share divisions from their own gardens.
Personally, I am now on the board of both the Québec and Canadian Peony Societies and a member of the American Peony Society, which has given me invaluable support and inspiration over the years.
Enjoy the journey
Most of all, remember that collecting peonies is a journey, not a race. Some seasons will bring spectacular blooms; others will teach you patience. Every peony in my garden today carries a memory: a gift, a discovery, a lesson learned, a beauty that comes back year after year.
And the collection is still growing, just like my love for these remarkable flowers. Whether you dream of a border overflowing with ruffled blooms or a small, curated selection of heirloom varieties, every peony collection begins with that first plant. Happy growing!
Discover more from Country Home & Blooms
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
No Comment