10 Types of Peonies for a Classic Garden Look

When it comes to timeless garden elegance, few flowers can rival the lush, romantic beauty of peonies. These perennial favorites have been adored for centuries for their large, fragrant blooms and reliable spring to early summer display. Peonies come in a rich palette of colors — from pure white to deep crimson — and a variety of forms, making them perfect for classic garden designs. If you’re looking to bring grace and grandeur to your landscape, here are 10 gorgeous types of peonies to consider planting.

1. Sarah Bernhardt Peony

One of the most beloved peonies worldwide, Sarah Bernhardt is famous for its large, double blooms of soft, shell-pink petals with a delightful fragrance. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this classic variety grows up to 3 feet tall and offers excellent performance in both garden beds and cut flower arrangements. Sarah Bernhardt peonies are prized for their longevity and old-fashioned charm, making them a must-have in traditional cottage and formal gardens.

2. Festiva Maxima Peony

For a truly show-stopping display, Festiva Maxima features pure white double blooms accented with splashes of crimson at the petal centers. This heirloom variety, dating back to the 1850s, blooms in late spring and produces heavily fragrant flowers on sturdy stems. Growing up to 3 feet tall, it’s a reliable, hardy plant that adds elegance to mixed borders and perennial beds. Its striking appearance makes it perfect for wedding bouquets and romantic, vintage-style gardens.

3. Bowl of Beauty Peony

As its name suggests, Bowl of Beauty boasts uniquely eye-catching blooms with a bright pink outer ring of petals surrounding a dense cluster of creamy yellow petaloids. Blooming in late spring to early summer, these semi-double flowers grow on strong, upright stems reaching 2.5 to 3 feet tall. With its cheerful color contrast and light fragrance, Bowl of Beauty adds a fresh, modern touch to classic peony plantings and pairs well with iris, delphiniums, and foxgloves.

4. Karl Rosenfield Peony

A favorite among gardeners for its vivid crimson-red, double blooms, Karl Rosenfield makes a bold statement in any garden. Blooming in early to mid-summer, these striking flowers are large, fully double, and lightly fragrant. The plant grows to about 2.5 to 3 feet tall, offering a rich, dramatic color that complements lighter peonies and pastel perennials. It’s especially stunning when planted en masse along garden borders or pathways for a dazzling late-spring display.

5. Coral Charm Peony

For a touch of contemporary beauty, Coral Charm peonies are known for their semi-double blooms in shades of coral-pink that gradually fade to soft peach and cream. Blooming in mid to late spring, these unique flowers grow on sturdy stems up to 3 feet tall and are excellent for cutting gardens. Their early bloom time makes them perfect for extending the peony season in your garden. Coral Charm’s luminous, color-shifting petals bring a cheerful, modern vibe to classic garden beds.

6. Shirley Temple Peony

Another timeless favorite, Shirley Temple peonies open with soft blush-pink double blooms that gradually turn to pure white as they mature. Blooming in late spring, these romantic flowers grow 2.5 to 3 feet tall and exude a light, sweet fragrance. Named after the famous child actress, Shirley Temple peonies evoke vintage charm and elegance, making them ideal for white-themed or moon gardens. They also pair beautifully with blue or purple perennials for a classic color contrast.

7. Duchesse de Nemours Peony

Renowned for its snowy-white, fully double blooms, Duchesse de Nemours is one of the oldest and most cherished peony varieties. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this heirloom plant reaches 2.5 to 3 feet tall and fills the air with its intoxicatingly sweet fragrance. Perfect for formal gardens, wedding arrangements, or serene white garden schemes, it’s a dependable performer that thrives in sunny borders with rich, well-drained soil.

8. Sorbet Peony

For gardeners seeking multi-tonal beauty, Sorbet Peonies feature layers of pink, cream, and pale yellow petals in a double bloom. These bicolor flowers bloom in late spring to early summer on sturdy, 3-foot tall stems and offer a light fragrance. The playful, layered appearance of Sorbet makes it a unique addition to both traditional and contemporary gardens. Its charming pastel hues look particularly stunning against darker foliage or when paired with lavender and salvia.

9. Red Charm Peony

True to its name, Red Charm produces large, intensely red, fully double blooms that are both bold and elegant. One of the earliest blooming peonies, it flowers in mid to late spring and grows up to 2.5 to 3 feet tall. Its velvety crimson petals and strong, upright stems make it a favorite for dramatic garden displays and cut flower arrangements. Red Charm’s deep color pairs wonderfully with paler peonies or white flowering perennials for striking contrast.

10. Bartzella Peony (Itoh Hybrid)

A prized Itoh hybrid peony, Bartzella offers brilliant, lemon-yellow semi-double blooms with a soft, spicy fragrance. Blooming in late spring to early summer, Bartzella grows up to 3.5 feet tall and produces an impressive number of large, showy flowers per plant. As an Itoh hybrid, it combines the best traits of tree and herbaceous peonies — offering sturdy, long-lasting blooms and vigorous growth. Its sunny color brightens up classic cottage borders and pairs beautifully with purple or pink perennials.

Final Thoughts

Peonies are a timeless favorite, adored for their voluminous blooms, rich fragrances, and dependable garden performance. From heirloom varieties like Festiva Maxima to the bold vibrance of Red Charm and the contemporary elegance of Coral Charm, these 10 peony types bring grace, color, and old-world romance to any classic garden look. Plant a mix of early, mid, and late-season varieties to enjoy a continuous peony display throughout spring and into early summer.