What Is the Minnesota Peony Society and How Can You Get Involved?
The Minnesota Peony Society (MPS) is a regional peony society based in Minnesota. Its stated mission is to promote interest in and appreciation of growing peonies, through educational programs and events for both members and the public. If you grow peonies in Minnesota or want to learn more about peony culture, MPS offers educational resources, an annual events calendar, and membership that includes a newsletter and member-only events.
What MPS Offers
The society's website organizes its content into several areas:
- Peony Culture — growing information, including a page on Winter Loss In Minnesota and one on 2025 Peony Leaf Curl
- Resources — MPS Exhibition Results, APS Awards, Peony Growers Handouts, Peony Societies, and MN Regional Societies
- News and Events — the annual calendar plus posts on past activities
- Membership — details on joining
- Volunteer — ways to help the society
The site also links to social media and notes that all are welcome to become members.
Annual Events
MPS publishes a calendar of events. The 2026 calendar listed on the site includes:
| Date | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| June 5–7, 2026 | MPS Peony Cut Flower Show | Held in the Heritage Room at Bachman's on Lyndale, Bloomington, MN. Final results are posted on the Resources page under "MPS Exhibition Results." |
| June 13, 2026 | MPS Picnic and Garden Tour | Members only |
| September 27, 2026 | MPS Root Auction | Bachman's on Lyndale Ave (Heritage Room), Bloomington, MN |
The fall root auction is described in detail: at 11:15 a.m. there is a fall peony care session with a peony dividing demonstration, then the auction starts at 1 p.m. The auction is open to all, and a link to the final auction list is available in the Events section. The society describes it as a chance to bid on new peonies for your garden.
How to Get Involved
- Become a member. Membership includes a newsletter subscription and special member events, per the site. The Membership page is the place to start.
- Attend a public event. The cut flower show and the fall root auction are open to all; the picnic and garden tour is members only.
- Use the educational resources. Peony Culture pages, grower handouts, and exhibition results are available on the site.
- Volunteer. The site has a Volunteer page for those who want to contribute to the society's work.
Where to Find More
- Exhibition results: Resources page → "MPS Exhibition Results"
- Regional societies: Resources page → "MN Regional Societies" and "Peony Societies"
- Grower handouts: Resources page → "Peony Growers Handouts"
- Event details and auction lists: the Events section
The site footer is dated © 2020 Minnesota Peony Society, and recent posts include 2025 Art In Bloom and summaries of past fall root auctions.