THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO PEONY COLOURS

A deep dive into the shades, moods, and magic of the world’s most beloved flower

Few flowers command attention the way peonies do. When they unfurl in late spring—silky petals layered like couture fabric—the garden feels suddenly theatrical, a place filled with fragrance and movement. Their colours are among their greatest seductions. The peony palette is wider and more complex than it first appears, ranging from moonlit white to molten coral, from pastel seashell pink to velvety maroon, and even into citrus yellow and mysterious violet hues. Some shift shades as they age; others bloom in unexpected patterns that look hand-painted.

This guide explores not only the colours themselves but the atmosphere and emotional language each one brings to the garden. Whether you are a gardener, a floral designer, or simply a lover of beauty, the following pages reveal why peony colours are so captivating—and how subtle variations can completely transform a landscape.

WHITE PEONIES: LUMINESCENT, TIMELESS, AND DECEPTIVELY COMPLEX

White peonies carry an old-world purity that feels both refined and dramatic. At first glance, a white bloom seems simple. But hold one up to the light and you’ll see tinges of cream, ivory, or even cool moonlit silver woven through the petals. Some, like the venerable ‘Festiva Maxima’, hide tiny flecks of crimson deep inside their centers, creating a subtle contrast that gardeners cherish. Others, such as ‘Duchesse de Nemours’, glow with a buttery warmth, as though lit from within.

White peonies often smell fresh and clean—lemon, linen, or gentle almond—giving them a character that pairs beautifully with early summer air. In gardens, they elevate any setting: in shade they appear almost lantern-like, while in full sun they stand crisp and bright, offering a refreshing counterpart to more saturated colours. They also make ideal transitional plants, blending seamlessly into both cottage-style borders and sleek, modern landscapes.

THE MANY MOODS OF PINK: FROM SOFT BLUSH TO VIBRANT FUCHSIA

Pink is the quintessential peony colour, and for good reason. It encompasses an astonishing range of personalities. At one end of the spectrum lie the whisper-soft blush varieties—blooms that look as though they might bruise under too much light. ‘Shirley Temple’, for instance, opens in a tender ballet-pink swirl before fading almost entirely to antique white. These gentle pinks embody sweetness, calm, and nostalgia, making them ideal for relaxed garden borders and romantic bouquets.

Moving deeper into the palette, medium pinks like the classic ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ offer that traditional, voluptuous form that many people picture when they think of peonies. The colour is generous and warm, with a rosy flush that feels welcoming and abundant. These varieties anchor peony displays with dependable charm.

Then there are the bold pinks—the fuchsias, the hot magentas, the vivid tones that can stop a passerby in their tracks. ‘Kansas’, for example, is unapologetically bright, its petals glowing with an intensity that becomes electric in direct sun. These high-impact pinks introduce a modern edge to the garden and create a striking dialogue when planted near white or pale yellow varieties.

RED PEONIES: PASSION, DEPTH, AND VELVET LUXURY

Red peonies occupy a special corner of the horticultural imagination. They are not the bright, primary reds of poppies or tulips; instead, their tones sit deeper on the colour wheel, offering richness rather than loudness. The reds of peonies tend to be complex—ruby, garnet, wine, or currant—with velvety surfaces that absorb light rather than reflect it.

One of the most celebrated is ‘Red Charm’, whose bomb-form blooms appear almost plush, like velvet cushions piled among the foliage. ‘Henry Bockstoce’, a treasure among florists, carries one of the truest clear reds in the peony world, intense and regal. Other reds veer toward moodier territory: ‘Chocolate Soldier’, for instance, has undertones of mahogany that give it an enigmatic, smouldering quality.

Red peonies are powerful statement plants. In gardens they add gravity and contrast, grounding lighter pastels and adding dimension to borders. They pair especially well with silvery or blue-green foliage, which keeps their richness from becoming visually heavy.

THE CORAL FAMILY: COLOURS THAT SHIFT LIKE SUNSET

Coral peonies are the modern darlings of the peony world, not only for their energetic colour but for their theatrical habit of changing hue as they blossom. When varieties such as ‘Coral Charm’ or ‘Coral Sunset’ first open, the petals glow with a vivid salmon-coral brilliance reminiscent of tropical flowers. As the days pass, the colour softens into peach, then apricot, and finally creamy ivory. A single plant may display all stages simultaneously, creating a dynamic, living painting.

Corals feel youthful and vibrant, bringing warmth to the garden even on overcast days. They suit contemporary plantings particularly well, contributing clarity and boldness to mixed borders. In floral arrangements, the transformation of coral peonies can create subtle gradients within a single bouquet, as though the flowers have been airbrushed.

Their rarity—achieved mostly through mid-20th-century breeding efforts—adds to their allure. For gardeners who want movement and surprise in the landscape, coral peonies offer a unique form of natural drama.

THE SUNLIT YELLOWS: RARE, EXOTIC, AND RADIANT

For many years, yellow peonies were nearly mythical. Herbaceous peonies naturally tend toward pinks, whites, and reds; it wasn’t until the advent of intersectional (Itoh) hybrids and the broader introduction of tree peonies that true yellows became accessible to gardeners. Today, cultivars like ‘Bartzella’ and ‘Garden Treasure’ shine with golden, sunlit brilliance.

Yellow peonies bring an entirely different emotional resonance to the garden. They feel celebratory, cheerful, and exotic, with a distinctly modern vibrancy. Their yellow tends to be soft and creamy at the edges, intensifying toward the center where red or orange flares may appear. ‘Bartzella’, in particular, produces enormous blooms with a gently citrus scent, making it a favourite among those who seek both impact and fragrance.

Placed among pastels, yellow peonies create bursts of sunshine. Paired with deep purples or burgundies, they deliver a sophisticated contrast reminiscent of fine silk fabrics.

PURPLE, LAVENDER, AND THE MYSTERIOUS SMOKY TONES OF TREE PEONIES

Purple peonies exist almost exclusively among tree peonies, which are renowned for their wide and unusual colour range. These hues often appear smoky, layered, or watercolor-like, blending lavender, plum, and mulberry tones within a single bloom. Cultivars such as ‘Kamada Nishiki’ display gentle lavender shades that soften the entire border, while dramatic varieties like ‘Shimanishiki’ create marbled patterns in white and purple, as though streaked by an artist’s brush.

These colours feel rare and otherworldly—more akin to the petals of orchids or irises than traditional herbaceous peonies. They lend an air of mystery to gardens, especially when their woody stems allow blooms to hover above the foliage in mid-spring. Purple peonies thrive in semi-shaded spaces, where their subtle iridescence becomes more apparent.

THE MAGIC OF BI-COLOUR BLOOMS: FLARES, STRIPES, AND PAINTERLY PETALS

Some peonies defy simple classification. Bi-colour forms—more common among tree peonies but found across types—feature petals streaked with contrasting colours, centers that form creamy accents, or bases painted with dramatic flares of red or maroon.

One of the most iconic is the herbaceous variety ‘Bowl of Beauty’, with its bright pink guard petals encircling a full crown of pale, creamy staminodes. Others, like ‘Sorbet’, stack layers of pink and ivory in confection-like whorls. Tree peonies often display more daring patterns: maroon splashes at the petal base, crisp white petals kissed with lavender, or petals that fade from one shade into another like a gradient silk fan.

Bi-colour peonies introduce artistry into the garden. They act almost as focal points, drawing the eye and inviting contemplation. Their unusual patterns make them particularly appealing to photographers and floral designers.

WHY PEONY COLOURS SHIFT: TEMPERATURE, AGE, AND LIVING CHEMISTRY

One of the enchanting qualities of peonies is that their colours aren’t fixed. Many blooms undergo visible changes over the span of several days. Coral varieties fade as pigment disperses; pale pinks may soften to near white; darker varieties deepen as their petals unfurl; and some yellows take on a more buttery hue in warm weather.

Temperature plays a major role. Cool springs intensify pigmentation, producing richer reds and more saturated pinks. Warm weather tends to dilute colours, lending a softer, pastel effect. Sunlight, too, influences the appearance: prolonged exposure can lighten dark flowers or add warm undertones to pale ones.

Even the age of the plant matters. Young peonies sometimes bloom in colours slightly different from their mature form, stabilizing only after several seasons. Gardeners often find that an established clump produces more nuanced colours than a newly planted root.

HOW TO USE PEONY COLOURS IN GARDEN DESIGN

Colour choice shapes the entire mood of a garden. White and soft pink varieties create a serene, almost ethereal atmosphere, especially when scattered along pathways or interplanted with blue and silver foliage. These tones are ideal for shaded areas, where they illuminate dim corners like natural lanterns.

For gardeners seeking drama, deep reds and purples provide sophistication and depth. These shades look particularly striking against dark green foliage or architectural plants like hostas or ornamental grasses. Coral varieties bring energy and vibrancy—perfect for modern gardens or spaces where you want a sense of movement and warmth. Yellow peonies, though still relatively rare, serve as bold exclamation points in planting schemes, bridging cool and warm palettes with a celebratory brightness.

Many gardeners create layered peony borders that mimic an unfolding symphony of colour: whites and blushes for calm, medium pinks for fullness, deep reds for emphasis, and flashes of coral or yellow for surprise.

THE ENDURING APPEAL OF THE PEONY PALETTE

To appreciate peony colours is to appreciate subtlety, drama, and transformation. They offer more than beauty; they offer narrative—flowers that open and age with elegance, revealing new moods each day. Their colours tell stories of heritage, horticultural innovation, and the sheer artistry of nature.

Whether planted en masse or cherished as single specimens, peonies elevate gardens with a palette that is at once timeless and endlessly varied. Their colours invite us to slow down, observe, and savor the fleeting perfection of spring.