When Are Peonies in Season? A Florist's UK Guide

Every spring, the same question arrives in my inbox as a florist: when are peonies in season? It's no surprise. Peonies are one of the most loved flowers in the world, with huge, ruffled blooms, a gorgeous scent and a season that feels far too short.

The good news is that peonies aren't only available for a few weeks. Depending on where they're grown, you can find them for much of the year. In this guide I'll explain when peonies are in season in the UK and around the world, a month-by-month guide to where your florist's peonies come from, how to choose and open peonies so they last, the best varieties, what to use when they're out of season, and how to grow your own.

When Are Peonies in Season? The Quick Answer

In the UK, peonies are in season from late spring to early summer, usually from May into June, with British-grown stems sometimes running into early July. Imported peonies extend availability from around April to June from Europe, through the summer from Alaska, and from roughly October to January from the Southern Hemisphere.

The Royal Horticultural Society describes peonies as having "a brief but keenly anticipated flowering in late spring to early summer", which is exactly why their season feels so precious.

Peony Season Month by Month

This is a general guide to availability in the UK. Exact timing changes every year with the weather.

Why Alaska matters

Alaska fills a unique gap. According to The Christian Science Monitor, "nowhere else but Alaska" are farmers growing peonies that bloom at the end of summer, at a time when the global peony trade usually slows right down. That's why you can sometimes still find peonies for a late summer wedding, although they cost more.

When Do Peonies Flower in the Garden?

In UK gardens, herbaceous peonies usually flower from May to June, depending on the variety, the weather and how sheltered your garden is. Tree peonies often flower a little earlier, and intersectional (Itoh) peonies a little later, so planting all three can stretch the season over several weeks.

How to Buy Peonies Like a Florist

Choose the right stage

The secret to long-lasting peonies is buying them at the right moment.

• Tight, hard buds may never open. Avoid buds that feel like a marble.
• Soft buds that give slightly when gently squeezed, a bit like a marshmallow, and show a little colour are perfect. They'll open over a few days and last the longest.
• Fully open blooms look spectacular for an event the same day or the next, but won't last as long.

Check the stems and leaves

Look for firm, straight stems, fresh green leaves with no browning, and no signs of mould on the buds.

How to Make Cut Peonies Last Longer

1. Cut the stems at an angle with a sharp knife or scissors, removing about 2 to 3cm.
2. Strip the lower leaves so none sit below the waterline.
3. Use a clean vase with fresh, cool water and flower food.
4. Keep them cool, out of direct sun and away from radiators and fruit bowls.
5. Change the water every couple of days and recut the stems.
6. Gently wipe sticky buds. Peony buds are often sticky with natural nectar, which attracts ants in the garden. A soft damp cloth removes it, and a quick shake before bringing garden peonies indoors helps too.

How to open peonies faster

If you need them open for a special day, put them in lukewarm water in a warm room, out of direct sun. Gently massaging soft buds with your fingers can also help them open.

How to slow them down

To hold peonies back, keep them somewhere cool, out of the sun. Florists use cold storage to time peonies for weddings and events.

Popular Peony Varieties

If you're buying for a wedding or event, ask your florist which varieties are available that week, as each one has its own short window.

What to Use When Peonies Are Out of Season

Planning a wedding or event when peonies are scarce or expensive? These flowers give a similar lush, romantic look.

What Do Peonies Symbolise?

Today, peonies are linked with romance, prosperity, good fortune and a happy marriage, which is one reason they're so popular for weddings. They're often listed as the traditional flower for a 12th wedding anniversary. In China, the peony has long been prized and is often called the "king of flowers".

Interestingly, the Victorian language of flowers gave peonies a very different meaning. In Kate Greenaway's 1884 Language of Flowers, the peony stands for "Shame. Bashfulness", perhaps because the blooms seem to blush as they open. If you're planning wedding flowers, my guide to choosing the right wedding suit can help with the rest of the look, and peonies are also linked with November birthdays, as I explain in my guide to the November birth flower.

Are Peonies Safe for Pets?

The ASPCA lists peonies as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, with signs including vomiting, diarrhoea and depression. Keep vases and fallen petals out of reach, and contact your vet if you think your pet has eaten any part of the plant.

How to Grow Your Own Peonies in the UK

Growing your own is the best way to enjoy peonies every year, and established plants can flower for decades.

• Plant in autumn in a sunny, sheltered spot with rich, well-drained soil.
• Don't plant too deep. The RHS advises covering the buds with no more than 2.5cm (1in) of soil, as deep planting reduces flowering.
• Be patient. New plants can take a couple of years to settle in and flower well.
• Support the stems. Heavy double blooms can flop after rain, so add plant supports in spring.
• Water in dry springs. The RHS notes that prolonged spring drought can cause poor bud development.
• Cut for the house when the buds are soft and showing colour, in the cool of the morning.

Styling Peonies at Home

• One variety, one vase. A generous bunch of a single colour looks luxurious.
• A low bowl on a dining table shows off fully open blooms.
• A single stem in a bud vase on a bedside table is simple and lovely.
• With greenery. Eucalyptus, pittosporum and garden foliage keep peony bouquets fresh and relaxed.

For more ideas, see my guide to decorating with fresh flowers. A vase of peonies on a pale Scandi console table makes a beautiful welcome in a hallway, and if you love them in art too, my guide to famous flower paintings explains how to find free, high quality prints.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are peonies in season in the UK?

Peonies are in season in the UK from late spring to early summer, usually May and June, with some British-grown stems lasting into early July. Imported peonies make them available for much of the rest of the year.

What month do peonies bloom?

In UK gardens, most peonies bloom in May and June. Tree peonies often flower slightly earlier and intersectional peonies slightly later.

Can you get peonies all year round?

Almost. Europe supplies spring and early summer, Alaska fills the late summer gap, and Chile and New Zealand supply from around October to January. Late winter is the hardest time to find them.

Why are peonies so expensive?

Peonies have a short season, are delicate to transport and are in huge demand, especially for weddings. Out-of-season peonies from Alaska or the Southern Hemisphere cost more because supply is limited.

How long do cut peonies last?

Peonies bought at the soft bud stage usually last around a week in the vase, sometimes longer if kept cool and given fresh water regularly.

Why won't my peonies open?

Buds that are too tight when cut may never open. Put them in lukewarm water in a warm room and gently massage the buds. Next time, choose buds that feel soft, like a marshmallow, and show some colour.

Why do peonies have ants on them?

Peony buds produce a sweet nectar that attracts ants. They don't harm the plant, but gently shake or rinse garden peonies before bringing them indoors.

Make the Most of Peony Season

Peony season is short, but with a little planning you can enjoy them for much of the year. Buy them at the soft bud stage, keep them cool and give them fresh water, and they'll reward you with days of extraordinary blooms.

If you'd like help planning seasonal flowers for your home, or a home that shows them off beautifully, you can book a one-hour online interior design consultation with me. For more ideas, browse my lifestyle articles.