Learn About Peonies: A Beginner's Guide to Types, Care, and Resources
Start by learning the four main groups of peonies—herbaceous, Itoh (intersectional), woody/tree, and species—because the group determines how you plant, prune, and expect the plant to behave. Then match that to your garden's sun and soil, learn a few identification terms, and use a cultivar registry to confirm names before you buy. The American Peony Society (APS) organizes its beginner material under Learn (About Peonies, Glossary, Herbaceous Peonies, Itoh Peonies, Woody Peonies, Species Peonies, Diseases and Pests, Hybridizing) and maintains the Peony Registry, described as the official international database with more than 7,000 peony cultivars.
The four peony groups and what each means in a garden
| Group | Growth habit | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Herbaceous | Soft stems die back to the ground each fall | The classic garden peony; cut stems to the ground after frost |
| Itoh (intersectional) | Cross between herbaceous and woody types; stems die back but the plant returns vigorously | Longer bloom window and often no staking needed; treat like a herbaceous peony at cleanup |
| Woody (tree peony) | Permanent woody framework that stays above ground year-round | Do not cut it to the ground; prune only damaged or shaping wood |
| Species | Wild-origin peonies, varied in size and form | Useful for collectors and for early or unusual bloom; check each species' needs individually |
If you only want one plant to start with, a herbaceous peony is the most forgiving entry point. If you want a longer season and stronger stems, look at Itoh. If you want a shrub-like structure that persists through winter, choose woody.
Basic growing needs
- Sun: Peonies generally perform best in full sun; the APS Learn section covers growing and care as a dedicated topic, so treat light, soil, and planting depth as the first things to verify for your site.
- Soil: Well-drained soil matters more than richness. Standing water is a bigger risk than modest fertility.
- Planting depth: This is the most common beginner mistake. Planting too deep is a frequent cause of poor flowering, so follow the depth guidance for your specific group rather than guessing.
- Bloom timing: The APS runs a Bloom Date Project, which is useful if you want to sequence varieties so something is in flower across the season rather than all at once.
How to identify a peony you already have
- Decide the group first: does the top growth die to the ground in winter (herbaceous/Itoh) or persist as woody stems (woody)?
- Note flower form, color, and bloom date.
- Look up the name in the Peony Registry, the APS's official international cultivar database.
- Use the Glossary for the descriptive terms you'll meet in registry entries and nursery listings—form names and structural terms are defined there.
- If you're registering or submitting something new, the APS separates Registration Overview, Registration Procedures, and New Cultivar Submission Utility—those are for people naming a plant, not for everyday identification.
Common problems and when to act
- Diseases and pests: The APS lists this as its own Learn topic. Botrytis and pest damage are the usual concerns; the practical rule is to act on discolored, collapsing, or chewed tissue early rather than waiting for it to spread.
- No flowers: Check planting depth and light before assuming disease.
- Flop and heavy heads: Consider an Itoh type or plan support for large-flowered herbaceous varieties.
Where to go next
- Learn hub (APS): Growing and care, floral arranging, photography, hybridizing, propagating, and exhibiting are all listed as Learn topics—pick the one matching your goal rather than reading everything.
- Peony Registry: Confirm cultivar names and check what's officially recorded.
- Peony Societies and Reference Garden Program: Find local groups and gardens where you can see plants growing before you buy.
- Vendor Listings and Bookstore: APS-listed sources for plants and further reading.
- Membership: The APS has an Options & Pricing page, Purchase Memberships, and Gift Subscriptions. The site also notes the Seed Distribution Program is open for members, with 2026 seed information available and ordering available through August 2026. Membership terms, pricing, and any login requirements are set out on those pages—check them directly rather than assuming access.
A practical first move: pick your group, confirm your sun and drainage, plant at the correct depth, and register the cultivar name in the Peony Registry so you know exactly what you're growing.