Pretty Peonies

Peonies: One of the most beloved + recognizable flowers out there! Known for their impressive blooms, versatile + exciting colors, and fragrant smell - it is no wonder they are a long-standing gardener’s favorite! 

These sun-loving flowers bloom in late spring/early summer! You will find 2 types of peonies in the midwest: Herbaceous + Itoh ! Let’s learn a bit about both varieties! 

Herbaceous are the most popular type of Peony that you find in gardens! Available in a variety of purples, pinks, reds, + white, they have so much to offer! You may want to consider staking this variety as their heavy flowers blooms often topple over without additional assistance. 

Itoh Peonies, or Intersectional,  are a beautiful blend of tree peonies + the herbaceous variety. This ideal hybrid offers stiffer stalks, a coveted change from the Herbaceous variety. This variety offers an even wider variety of colors to liven up your garden. Find yellows + even bi-colored varieties in the Itoh lineup! 

Uh oh - ANTS! A common question we get is - why are there ants all over my Peony buds? No need to worry! Ants + Peonies have a symbiotic relationship: Peonies create a delicious sweet nectar that ants are willing to protect, fending off any unwanted critters, protecting your Peony! 

Want to use your Peony plant for cut flowers? To help longer lasting blooms, be sure to wait until the buds “pop” and show color before cutting them + placing them in arrangements. We love these blooms as they are also great stand-alone pieces in a vase!

Come find your new garden centerpiece by shopping both varieties of Peonies at our Eau Claire location (available seasonally)!