Peonies: A Fragrant Flower Or Just A Pretty Face?

Peonies are loved by gardeners, flower enthusiasts, and brides-to-be for their beauty and fragrance. But do all peonies have a scent?

The simple answer is no. While some peonies are known for their intense fragrance, others have little to no scent. The fragrance range varies from sweet and rosy to citrusy and spicy, with some having a subtle powdery finish. The scent of a peony can also change throughout the day, and may be affected by temperature, humidity, and the age of the flower.

The most fragrant peonies tend to be the double, white, and pink varieties, while most single and red peonies are typically scentless. However, there are always exceptions. For example, the Duchesse de Nemours cultivar is a white double peony with a strong citrusy fragrance and hints of spice, whereas the Henry Bockstoce peony is a red double peony with no mention of a scent.

If you're looking to add a pop of fragrance to your garden or bouquet, now you know which peonies to choose!

The most fragrant peonies

Peonies are prized for their beauty and their mesmerizing scents. Their fragrances range from sweet and rosy to citrusy and spicy, with some having no scent at all. Generally, double, white, and pink peonies are the most fragrant, while most single and red peonies have little to no scent.

• Duchesse de Nemours: A very old but extremely beautiful, award-winning peony with creamy-white petals and a hint of yellow. It is free-flowering and has a delightful fragrance.
• Dr. Alexander Fleming: A ravishing and fabulously fragrant, award-winning peony with large, deep rose-pink double flowers.
• Festiva Maxima: A double ivory peony with crimson flecks and a strong, sweet, and floral fragrance.
• Sarah Bernhardt: A classic double pink peony with a sweet, rose-like aroma.
• Coral Charm: A semi-double coral-pink peony with a sweet, fruity scent.
• Krinkled White: A single white peony with a delicate, lemony fragrance.
• Henry Bockstoce: A spectacular hybrid peony with enormous, double, rich cardinal-red flowers. It is regarded as one of the best red double peonies and is very fragrant.
• Cora Stubbs: A peony with large, raspberry-pink petals and a creamy-white and pale pink centre. It is delightfully fragrant and vigorous, making it a popular choice for gardens.
• Philomele: A very attractive, medium-sized peony with lavender-pink petals and a centre of amber-yellow and lavender-pink. It is among the most fragrant peonies.
• Garden Treasure: A multiple award-winning, intersectional hybrid peony with large, golden-yellow, semi-double flowers. It is fragrant with a lovely lemon scent.
• Madame Emile Debatene: A lightly fragrant peony with a striking fragrance that is not too overwhelming.

The least fragrant peonies

Not all peonies have a strong fragrance. The level of fragrance varies from species to species, and some have little to no scent.

The single and red peony varieties are generally the least fragrant, although there are exceptions. For example, the 'Henry Bockstoce' peony is a spectacular hybrid with enormous, rich cardinal-red flowers, but it is described as "very fragrant".

Some peonies with little to no fragrance include:

• 'Elsa Sass'
• 'Henry Bockstoce'
• 'Coral Charm'

While these varieties may not have a strong fragrance, they make up for it with their large blooms and deeply saturated colours.

The different fragrance notes of peonies

Peonies are known for their delightful fragrances, which can range from subtle to intense. The different fragrance notes of peonies include:

• Rose: A classic, sweet, and romantic floral aroma.
• Citrus: Refreshing and uplifting, similar to lemon zest or grapefruit.
• Honey: Warm and golden, evoking sunshine and summer days.
• Spice: Unexpected and alluring, like a dash of pepper or clove.
• Musk: Earthy and intriguing, adding a touch of mystery.

These fragrance notes can be found in various peony cultivars, such as the Sarah Bernhardt, a classic double pink peony with a sweet rose-like scent, or the Duchesse de Nemours, a white double peony with a citrusy fragrance and hints of spice. The Coral Charm, a semi-double coral-pink peony, offers a sweet and fruity scent, while the Krinkled White, a single white peony, has a delicate lemony fragrance. The Festiva Maxima, a double white peony with crimson accents, exudes a classic rose scent.

Peony fragrances can also be enhanced by combining them with other flowers or notes. For instance, peonies are often mixed with roses, lilies, or sweet peas to create multi-layered sensory experiences in bouquets. In perfumery, peony notes are often paired with fresh, fruity, or woody notes to create sophisticated and elegant fragrances.

The fragrance of peonies can vary throughout the day, typically peaking in the morning and evening when temperatures are cooler. Additionally, the intensity of the scent may depend on the age of the flower, temperature, humidity, and sunlight exposure.

The history of peonies

Peonies are flowering plants native to Asia, Europe, and Western North America. There are around 33 known species of peony, though the exact number is still under debate. The peony is a member of the genus Paeonia, the only genus in the family Paeoniaceae. The peony has a rich history, having been cultivated in China since ancient times and later becoming popular in Europe.

Ancient China

Ancient Chinese texts mention the use of peonies for flavouring food. The peony has been cultivated in China since early history, with ornamental cultivars created from plants grown for medicine as early as the sixth and seventh centuries. Peonies became particularly popular during the Tang dynasty, when they were grown in the imperial gardens. In the tenth century, the cultivation of peonies spread throughout China, with Luoyang becoming a centre for its cultivation—a position it still holds today.

Ancient Greece

According to ancient Greek mythology, a divine drama involving the greatest of Greek heroes, Herakles, and Pluto, the god of the underworld, inspired the name of the peony. The story goes that during a battle, Herakles wounds Pluto with an arrow. Unable to find the god of medicine, Pluto asks one of his students, the talented god Paean, for help. Jealous of his student, the god of medicine, Asklepios, decides to murder Paean. However, Zeus finds Paean's body and decides to honour him by transforming him into a beautiful flower, which comes to be known as "Paeonia".

Victorian Ages in North America

During the Victorian Ages in North America, the peony had a much darker significance. It was believed that if you dug up a peony or brought it into your home, you would be visited by fairies who would put a curse on you, and you would be unlucky for the rest of your life.

19th-Century Europe

In 19th-century Europe, the peony was a popular subject for Impressionist painters such as Renoir, Delacroix, and Manet. In addition, the peony was thought to symbolise modesty and shyness in Eastern European countries.

How to grow fragrant peonies

Peonies are a genus of perennial herbaceous and deciduous shrubs, and are a popular choice for gardens due to their beauty and fragrance. They are relatively easy to grow and low maintenance, but there are some key steps to follow to ensure success. Here is a guide on how to grow fragrant peonies:

Choosing Your Peony Variety

Firstly, you'll want to select a fragrant variety of peony. While all peonies are beautiful, not all of them have a strong scent. Some peony varieties known for their scent include:

• Sarah Bernhardt: A classic double pink peony with a sweet, rose-like aroma.
• Duchesse de Nemours: A white double peony with a citrusy fragrance and hints of spice.
• Coral Charm: A semi-double coral-pink peony with a sweet, fruity scent.
• Krinkled White: A single white peony with a delicate, lemony fragrance.
• Festiva Maxima: A double white peony with splashes of crimson and a classic rose scent.

Planting Your Peonies

Once you've chosen your peony variety, it's time to plant them! Here are some key tips for planting:

• Choose the right spot: Peonies thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Plant them in a sunny spot to ensure optimal bloom and fragrance production.
• Dig a deep hole: Dig a hole roughly 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep to ensure the peony's root system has plenty of room to grow.
• Amend the soil: Use a fertiliser low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus. Adding bone meal or rock powder can also boost the content of trace minerals.
• Plant at the right depth: Herbaceous and intersectional peonies should be planted with the top eye 1-2 inches below the soil surface. Tree peonies, on the other hand, should be planted deeper, with the graft point between 4-6 inches below the surface.
• Space them out: Do not plant peonies in the same spot where another peony once grew, as the new plant will not survive.

Caring for Your Peonies

To keep your peonies healthy and fragrant, follow these care tips:

• Water regularly: Peonies require an average to a large amount of water.
• Prune old flowers and dead leaves: This will help promote new growth and keep your peonies looking their best.
• Prevent pests and diseases: Cut the plant stems to the ground after the first frost to prevent pests and diseases from overwintering.
• Stake tall varieties: Some peony varieties may require staking to support their stems, especially if they are planted in a windy area.
• Time your sniffs: Peony scent can vary throughout the day, peaking in the morning and evening when temperatures are cooler.

Harvesting and Displaying Your Peonies

If you want to display your peonies indoors or create a bouquet, keep these tips in mind:

• Harvest at the right time: Cut peonies in the morning when their fragrance is most potent. Choose blooms that are slightly open and soft to the touch.
• Condition your blooms: Recut the stems at an angle and place them in fresh water with flower food to help them last longer and maintain their scent.
• Display in a cool spot: Place your peony bouquet in a cool area away from direct sunlight to preserve their fragrance.

Frequently asked questions