The Best Peonies for Cutting

Peony blossoms are among the largest, most extravagant of garden flowers. The huge blooms provide displays that were immortalized in still life paintings by the Dutch masters. Enjoy cutting peonies to fill your pitchers and vases to overflowing, or to provide a fragrant bridal bouquet during the short blooming season of late May through early June. Planting early, mid- and late-season bloomers extends the season.

Single Peonies
All peonies have at least five outer guard petals and a center of stamens. Single peony flowers have centers of pollen-bearing stamens. Single peonies are very effective as cut flowers. Cardinal's Robe is brilliant red with 26-inch stems. Coral N Gold is fragrant with coral guard petals and a golden center. It blooms on strong 36-inch stems. Green Lotus, on 29-inch stems, has white-fringed petals and a sunny yellow center. It is a very attractive and unusual-looking cut flower.

Semi-Double Peonies
Semi-double peony flowers have pollen-bearing stamens among the petals and two or more rows of petals. The large flowers can be up to 10 inches across. Semi-double peonies stand up in the garden without support, making them good candidates for cutting. Buckeye Belle, a rich wine-red, has sturdy 30-inch stems and holds its head without support. Coral Charm, on strong 36-inch stems, is a soft, coral-type peach color. Firebelle opens bright red guard petals to display a sunny center on strong 30-inch stems. Illini Belle, on very strong stems, is burgundy-red with a red and yellow center.

Double Peonies
The centers of double peony flowers consist of broad petals that are transformed stamens. These are the very full, fluffy peonies and usually need staking in the garden. As cut flowers, they may nod their heads. Alexander Fleming is a very fragrant bright pink. Alice Harding is a deep, brilliant yellow. Fragrant Festiva Maxima is white with red flecks. Rachel is deep, bright pink, and Red Grace is cardinal red. Francis Willard opens pink, then fades slowly lighter to white. This peony is fragrant with strong stems.

Japanese Flowered Peonies
Japanese, or Imperial peonies display a cluster of stamenodes in the center. These are stamens that have become slender petals. Gay Paree, on 40-inch stems, has a lighter pink center surrounded by dark pink guard petals, and is fragrant. Lotus Queen, on 36-inch stems, has a lemon-yellow, quilled center surrounded by pure white petals, and is lightly fragrant. Fragrant Doreen, on strong 32-inch stems has a peachy-colored center with bright pink guard petals. Carrara, on 36-inch stems, is pure white with a cream-colored center, and with no pollen is wonderful for bridal bouquets.

Stem Support for Floppy Peonies
Push a 22-gauge green florists' wire, 12-inches long, gently up along the stem through the bottom of the flower and out the top. Bend at least 4 inches over and carefully bring it back down through the top of the flower. Wrap it gently around the stem and wire to support the flower head in a bouquet. Alternatively, cut floppy peonies stems 2 inches long and place them in water in a pretty bowl.