Peonies' Fragrance: Fact Or Fiction?

Peonies are known for their beauty and fragrance. While some peonies have a delightful, sweet scent, others have an unpleasant fragrance. The most fragrant peonies are typically the white and pink varieties, while red peonies are usually not scented. The fragrance of peonies can range from sweet and rosy to citrusy, with some even smelling spicy or like a lemon.

The most fragrant peonies are white or pink varieties

Peonies are known for their delightful fragrance, which can range from sweet and rosy to citrusy. The most fragrant peonies are typically the double, white and pink varieties, while most single and red peonies do not have a scent. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and some peonies have an unpleasant fragrance, described as smelling like a gym bag, low tide or dead fish.

Herbaceous peonies, which have been cultivated since ancient China, are known for their large, silken, fragrant blooms that appear in late spring. These flowers come in a variety of colours, including white, pink, magenta, maroon, bright red, mahogany, coral and yellow.

Some of the most fragrant peonies include 'Elsa Sass', which starts out light pink and matures to nearly white, 'Mother's Choice', which offers large, rose-like ivory flowers with a subtle blush and traces of dark pink, and 'Duchesse de Nemours', a standard among white peonies with a touch of yellow at the base of its ruffled inner petals. 'Pink Dawn', also known as 'Pink Princess', is another fragrant peony that produces large, bright pink, single flowers with white overtones and a glowing centre of golden-yellow stamens.

Reds are usually not scented

While peonies are known for their delightful fragrance, reds are usually not scented. The most fragrant peonies are typically white or pink varieties, with some of the yellow peonies smelling like lemons. The fragrance of peonies can range from sweet and rosy to citrusy, with some even smelling better than roses. However, there are exceptions to the rule, and some red peonies may have a subtle scent.

Peonies are not only a lush and gorgeous flower with soothing colours, but they also have a fresh, sweet aroma that can fill a room. The fragrance of peonies varies depending on the variety, with some smelling stronger than others. In general, peonies with double flowers tend to have a more intense perfume than those with single flowers.

While the fragrance of peonies is often a pleasant surprise, there are a few varieties with rather unpleasant fragrances. These peonies may evoke reactions such as wrinkled noses and disgruntled expressions, with descriptions ranging from gym bag to low tide and dead fish odours.

It is important to note that hybridizers often prioritise the visual appeal of flowers over their scent. As a result, many hybrids of peonies and other modern flowers may have little to no perfume, while their wild ancestors were renowned for their fragrance.

Double flowers are more likely to be intensely perfumed

Peonies are known for their delightful fragrance, which can range from sweet and rosy to citrusy. The most fragrant peonies are typically the double, white, and pink varieties. Reds are usually not scented.

Double peonies tend to be the most fragrant, with varieties such as Sarah Bernhardt, Felix Crousse, Festiva Maxima, Duchess de Nemours, and Dinner Plate being particularly fragrant. The double flowers are more likely to have an intense perfume than those with single flowers. This is because they have more petals, which means more surface area for the scent to emanate from. The extra petals also mean that the flowers are heavier, so they are more likely to bend the stems and need support when used as cut flowers.

The fragrance of peonies can add an extra dimension to your enjoyment of these flowers, whether you are growing them in your garden or using them in a bouquet. The scent of flowers is meant to attract pollinators or deter predators, but it also has the power to trigger memories or a sense of calm.

Some peonies smell like lemon

Peonies are known for their delightful fragrance, which can range from sweet and rosy to citrusy. The most fragrant peonies are usually white or pink varieties, while red peonies are typically not scented.

Some peonies are known for their intense fragrance, while others have little to no scent. The fragrance of peonies can vary from a subtle breeze to a powerful scent.

Some peonies, particularly the yellow flowers, smell like lemon. For example, the Krinkled White peony has a delicate, lemony fragrance, while the Prairie Charm peony is known for its powerful lemon scent. The Coral Charm peony has a sweet, fruity scent, while the Duchesse de Nemours exudes a citrusy fragrance with hints of spice.

If you're looking for a peony with a strong lemon scent, the late mid-season peony 'Merry Mayshine' is a great choice. This award-winning peony features bright, scarlet-red flowers and sweetly fragrant blossoms with a lovely lemon scent.

Some peonies have a spicy fragrance

Peonies are known for their delightful fragrance, which can fill a room. The fragrance varies depending on the variety of peony, with some having a stronger scent than others. Typically, the most fragrant peonies are the double, white, and pink varieties. These can range from sweet and rosy to citrusy, with some even smelling better than roses. Some peonies have a spicy fragrance, while others have a scent reminiscent of lemons.

However, not all peonies are fragrant. Reds are usually not scented, and some hybrids have little to no perfume. In addition, a few peonies have rather unpleasant fragrances, with descriptions ranging from gym bag to low tide and dead fish odours.

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