Peonies in Australia: when, where and how to enjoy them

Peonies (Paeonia) are the show-offs of late spring: heavy, ruffled and scented. They are a cool-climate plant at heart, which makes them a bit of a treat in Australia. This guide explains when to expect them, what the main kinds look like and how to get the most from a bunch.

Classic pink peony – large, fragrant flower in natural light — Classic pink

Red peony – dramatic and full bloom with deep colour — Red – passion

White peony in elegant wedding-inspired arrangement — White – purity

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Three kinds, one family

Herbaceous peonies (Paeonia lactiflora and hybrids) die back to the ground each winter and shoot again in spring. Tree peonies are woody shrubs that keep their stems. Itoh peonies are crosses between the two, with tree-peony colours on a herbaceous plant. The kind you meet in a florist's bucket is almost always a herbaceous type.

What a peony stands for

Romance: The layered petals look like a love note made of silk.
A happy home: Peonies are a popular gift for a housewarming or a new baby.
Good fortune: In Chinese tradition the peony is linked with wealth and honour.
Bashful beauty: Some flower dictionaries read a closed peony as shyness.

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Where and when

Herbaceous peonies need a cold spell in winter to set flower buds. They do best in Tasmania, the Victorian highlands, the Canberra region, the Adelaide Hills and similar cool districts. On the subtropical and tropical coast they usually sulk and seldom flower well. In the garden the flowers open from about October into November, which is late spring here, so stems are a seasonal luxury rather than a year-round supply.

Cultivars worth knowing

'Sarah Bernhardt': A soft pink double raised in France in the early 1900s and still widely grown.
'Karl Rosenfield': A long-standing crimson double that is easy to find.
'Festiva Maxima': A large white double with the odd crimson fleck.
'Duchesse de Nemours': A scented double, creamy white with a faint sulphur tint.
'Coral Charm': A coral shade that florists love when it is in season.

Using peonies in bunches

Weddings are the obvious home for peonies, but a few stems also make a generous housewarming gift or a thank-you that feels extravagant. If you plan to send flowers with peonies, remember they are seasonal. They mix well with greenery, rose buds and gum leaves for a romantic look that still feels relaxed.

Peonies can be ordered online for delivery across Australia, and our guide to flower language explains what a bunch can say.

Getting the best from cut stems

Growers pick peonies at the soft marshmallow stage, when colour shows but the bloom is still closed. Closed buds will open in a day or two once they sit in clean water.
Trim the stems on an angle and remove leaves that would sit below the water.
Refresh the water every other day and rinse the vase.
Keep the bunch somewhere cool, particularly in hot weather, to stretch its life.
Want blooms sooner? Move the vase to a warmer room for a few hours.

Quick facts – peony

Characteristic	Information
Vase life	About a week
Latin name	Paeonia
Origin	Asia (and parts of Europe)
Garden flowering in Australia	About October to November

Pet warning: the ASPCA lists peonies as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The compound involved is paeonol, and eating the plant can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy. Keep bunches out of reach and call your vet if an animal has eaten any.

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Buying flowers online is quick. Our care advice shows how to keep peonies looking their best.

Frequently asked questions about peonies

Where do peonies grow well in Australia?

Herbaceous peonies need a cold winter to set flower buds, so they do best in Tasmania, the Victorian highlands, the Canberra region and the Adelaide Hills. In the subtropics and tropics they rarely bloom well.

When is peony season in Australia?

Garden peonies open from about October into November, which is late spring here. Outside that window, stems are scarce.

Are peonies safe for pets?

No. The ASPCA lists peonies as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, with vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy as the signs. Keep bunches out of reach and call your vet if a pet has eaten any.