Peony Identification

Peonies are a genus of a flowering plant native to many areas of North America, and it’s cultivated in many gardens. Scientists refer to the peony genus as paeonia, of which there are many species.

Appearance

• Peony flowers have a round shape with many layers of scalloped petals. Their petals have a soft appearance. The petals typically surround a yellow center, although it’s not always visible when the flower first blooms.

Colors

• Peonies come in a number of colors. One may be pink, purple, orange, coral, red, yellow or white.

Species

• Common species of the peony flower include Brown’s, the California, dian mu dan, the Chinese, the moutan and the common peony.

Time Frame

• Peonies are best when planted in the fall months of September and October, and they typically bloom for six to eight weeks during the spring, reports North Carolina State University. As a perennial plant, the peony has the potential to bloom year after year.

Geography

• In the United States, the peony genus of flowers grows wild in the states of California, Idaho, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In Canada, the peony grows wild in the province of Ontario.