15 Peony Varieties to Plant in October

Peonies grace gardens with their presence throughout the world. They’re common in temperate regions with cool winter seasons and warm, sunny springs and summers. These conditions allow peonies to undergo a cold dormancy period in winter, so they bloom proliferously as the weather warms. 

Plant your specimens in October, and they’ll grow roots underground during the cool months. Fall plantings bloom more than spring ones because the plants have a chance to adapt to the site before sprouting flowers and foliage. Like fall bulbs, peonies appreciate winter frost and use it to their benefit.

Whether planting herbaceous peonies, tree types, or hybrids, you’ll want a variety that performs well with little care or maintenance. These perennials live long lives, and most of them outlive their gardener! Plant one of these 15 varieties today and enjoy giant, aromatic flowers for decades.

Herbaceous Peonies

Herbaceous peonies are clumping perennials that die below the ground in fall and winter. They grow elaborate root systems underground, where they stay dormant. As warm spring weather arrives, sprouts emerge from the ground and open up flowers and foliage. These are five of the best varieties to plant in October. 

‘Edulis Superba’

	botanical name Paeonia lactiflora ‘Edulis Superba’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Most herbaceous peonies are varieties of Paeonia lactiflora, the classic peony. ‘Edulis Superba’ is one such specimen with double layers of pink petals. The blossoms have an outer line of light pink petals called a “collar” that gives them the appearance of cups. 

‘Edulis Superba’ is a longtime gardener’s favorite peony, growing lush divided leaves and dozens of flowers on a single plant. Mature clumps grow to four feet tall and wide, and you can divide them if you’d like to make more plants. 

‘Felix Crousse’

	botanical name Paeonia lactiflora ‘Felix Crousse’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 3-8

If you’d like the red color of roses but the shape of peonies, ‘Felix Crousse’ is the peony for you! It sprouts bunches of rose-red blooms on individual stems throughout the plant. It’s a fast grower, reaching three feet tall in its first year in your garden.

‘Felix Crousse’ needs full sun for its blooms to look their best. Avoid partial shade unless it’s the only exposure you have, as you’ll get fewer blooms and leaves on shaded peonies. If you live in zone 8 and have excessive heatwaves, give your specimens shade during hot afternoon hours.

‘Festiva Maxima’

	botanical name Paeonia lactiflora ‘Festiva Maxima’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Double white petals adorn ‘Festiva Maxima’ as its flowers erupt from late spring through early summer. The blooms reveal a few crimson spots at their base as they open up. Their creamy flowers have a sweet nectar fragrance that makes them a delight to smell. Plant this special variety in a cut flower garden, as a single specimen, or in borders among other flowering perennials.

‘Festiva Maxima’ is a longtime favorite in American gardens. You’ll find it readily available during fall in nurseries, online shops, and catalogs. This type rarely needs dividing, making it perfect for lazy growers who want to plant it and be done! 

‘Sarah Bernhardt’

	botanical name Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Another pink bloomer like ‘Edulis Superba,’ this peony ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ has lighter shaded petals and a skirt instead of a collar. The outer petals lay down around the center of the bloom and are lighter than the central ones. The center petals have so many intricate ruffles and layers that you can’t see the flower’s stigma or anthers!

‘Sarah Bernhardt’ lives for decades like most other types in the species P. lactiflora. It’s a classic herbaceous peony that growers loved since it came out in 1906. Plant it today to see what all the hype is about! It makes excellent cut flowers and is perfect for professional and amateur florists who love to garden. 

Fern Leaf Peony

	botanical name Paeonia tenuifolia
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Fern leaf peony is completely different from the previous four. It’s a separate species Paeonia tenuifolia, and it sprouts divided leaves that look like fern fronds. They’re incredibly ornamental, and they decorate the plants as they bloom three-inch long scarlet red flowers. Each flower has a single layer of petals with bright yellow stamens and a pistil at the center. 

Fern leaf peony is shorter than most herbaceous types, as it only reaches two feet high by midsummer. This species is also less cold hardy than P. lactiflora varieties—give it extra protection during winter dormancy by applying a thick layer of compost to the site. 

Tree Peonies

Tree peonies are special treats in the ornamental garden. They display the large, showy blooms that herbaceous types have, except they don’t die back in winter! Instead, they keep woody stems between two to six feet tall that remain during the cold months. In spring, new foliage and flowers sprout off the woody stems.

Mountain Peony

	botanical name Paeonia x suffruticosa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-6’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Mountain peonies are tough specimens that grow woody stems. They thicken and swell during the warm seasons, reaching six feet tall when the plants mature! They rarely need pruning, making this a shrub with little maintenance. 

This tree type has dozens of cultivars with showy flowers in hues of red, pink, white, yellow, and violet. The species sports pink-white petals on six to eight-inch blossoms. It originates from China, Tibet, and Bhutan, and appreciates cold, harsh winters and warm springs and summers. 

‘Impumon’

	botanical name Paeonia x ‘Impumon’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-6’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Rose-red is a special color in the garden—it’s almost translucent, shining bright under direct sunlight. ‘Impumon’ sports this unique shade in its flowers’ petals. They surround yellow anthers that contrast beautifully with each other. If you like ‘Felix Crousse’ peonies but prefer the tree types, then ‘Impumon’ is the variety for you!

This is an old cultivar from the 1930s that originates in Japan. Some consider it to have the most attractive shades of red from any peony. It might be difficult to find in the States—check specialty online retailers and tree peony growers near you. 

‘Ice Age’

	botanical name Paeonia x ‘Ice Age’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-4’
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Ice Age’ reveals its colors with its name—its flowers are ice-white with ruffles on the petals. This cultivar is a close relative of the yellow type ‘Age of Gold’ and prefers similar conditions. Give it regular water, fertile and free-draining soil, and full sun in cold climates.

Like ‘Age of Gold,’ this cultivar has flowers with two rows of petals. They have a hint of purple-red at their center, giving them an ombre effect of white to red. Plant this specimen on its own in a border, or as a part of a hedge with multiple shrubs. It’ll last for decades in your garden with the proper care. 

‘Black Pirate’

	botanical name Paeonia x ‘Black Pirate’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-4’
	hardiness zones 3-8

For an even darker red than ‘Impumon’ try ‘Black Pirate!’ This tree peony sprouts crimson-black flowers with two rows of petals. At their center lies a yellow stigma and anthers that stand out amongst the petals. This is a stunning specimen in the garden and as a cut flower in bouquets. 

‘Black Pirate’ needs full sun to produce as many blooms as possible unless you live with recurring heat waves in zone 8. Give your shrub afternoon shade during the hottest hours for healthy foliage and flowers.

Tibetan Peony

	botanical name Paeonia lutea subsp. ludlowii
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 7-9’
	hardiness zones 6-9

Tibetan peonies are towering specimens that reach nine feet tall in maturity! They grow over other low-spreading shrubs with finely divided leaves and small yellow flowers. You may prune your plants to keep them short in autumn. Avoid early spring pruning, as you may lop off flowering buds before they open.

Tibetan peonies are less cold-hardy than other tree types, and they’ll need extra winter protection below zone 6. Grow them without issue through zones 6 to 9, giving them afternoon shade in the hottest climates. Tibetan peonies thrive with fertile, well-draining soil and can live for many years in these conditions.

Intersectional Hybrids

Hybrid peonies combine the underground dormancy of herbaceous ones and the strength of tree types. They produce more blooms, leaves, and stems than herbaceous and tree peonies, and they’re more resistant to botrytis. If you have trouble growing the other two types, try an intersectional hybrid instead. 

‘Cora Louise’

	botanical name Paeonia x ‘Cora Louise’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 4-9

‘Cora Louise’ is an Itoh hybrid peony with blooms that resemble the ones on ‘Ice Age.’ Itoh hybrids are crosses between herbaceous and tree peonies developed by Dr. Itoh in Japan. They’re exceptional garden specimens that tolerate extreme frost or summer heat, making them ideal from Southern California to New York!

‘Cora Louise’ is a special Itoh type that sprouts white blossoms with red-purple centers. The reproductive parts are yellow, creating a lovely color combination of white, red, and yellow. Grow this double-petalled beauty without issue in zones 4 through 8. Give Itoh peonies extra mulch for winter protection in zone 4, and plant them in partial shade in zone 9.

‘First Arrival’

	botanical name Paeonia x ‘First Arrival’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Lovely pink blooms blush as they open on ‘First Arrival’ shrubs. These Itoh peonies have gigantic flowers to seven inches across! They have light pink outer petals, pink-red inner ones, and yellow pollinating parts. ‘First Arrival’ gets its name from being one of the first blooming peonies in the summer season!

Plant bare root crowns or potted plants in October, ensuring the top sprouting eyes are at ground level. Give plants partial shade in hot climates, and an extra layer of mulch for protection in cold ones.

‘Garden Treasure’

	botanical name Paeonia x ‘Garden Treasure’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Yellow peonies are the classic hybrids! Most older hybrids were yellow since they’re descendants of yellow flowering tree peonies. Nowadays breeders mix new species and create hybrids with yellow, white, pink, and red flowers. 

‘Garden Treasure’ has the classic creamy yellow color petals that older hybrids have. In the flowers’ centers lie red, orange, and yellow plant parts. They contrast elegantly with the many outer petals, creating a gorgeous arrangement Try ‘Garden Treasure’ if you’re looking for a special variety unlike any other perennial. 

‘Pastel Splendor’

	botanical name Paeonia x ‘Pastel Splendor’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-4’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Like ‘Garden Treasure,’ ‘Pastel Splendor’ is a stately specimen that plant collectors rave over! It’s an Itoh hybrid that reaches three feet tall with giant pink-white blooms. The petals have maroon throats, and the flower’s center is white. This creates a stunning trio of colors that complement each other well wherever they grow.

‘Pastel Splendor’ is a tough variety that thrives with little maintenance. You can remove spent foliage in winter as it dies to the ground. Be careful not to prune into dormant eyes—they’ll be perky and fleshy near the plant’s crown.

‘Bartzella’

	botanical name Paeonia x ‘Bartzella’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 4-9

‘Bartzella’ hybrids produce flowers similar to ‘Garden Treasure’ but without the fiery centers. These blooms are more demure, with light apricot throats and yellow anthers. They have many layers of creamy yellow petals, and each perennial produces dozens of blooms on a single plant.

‘Bartzella’ is a fragrant cultivar, with lovely aromas of lemon and citrus. Plant it amongst roses for fragrance the entire year! It appreciates similar conditions as roses—give it fertile, free-draining soil and annual helpings of compost.