25+ red peonies

Red peonies bring rich color and drama to spring gardens. These bold blooms range from deep crimson to bright scarlet, with flower forms from simple singles to lush doubles. Below are 25+ red peony varieties commonly grown in home gardens and used in cut flower arrangements.

‘Karl Rosenfield’ peony

Karl Rosenfield is one of the most popular red peonies grown today. This classic variety produces large double flowers 6 to 7 inches across with rich crimson petals and a full, fluffy form. The blooms hold their color well and make excellent cut flowers. John Rosenfield bred this cultivar of Paeonia lactiflora in Nebraska and introduced it in 1908.

‘Kansas’ peony

Kansas produces vibrant magenta-red blooms that open wide to 7 or 8 inches. The frilled petals have a slightly pink tone that deepens toward red in bright sun. Despite the large flower size, the stems are sturdy enough that the plants rarely need staking. Myron Bigger bred this cultivar of Paeonia lactiflora in Topeka around 1940.

‘Red Charm’ peony

Red Charm is a classic variety known for its enormous dark red blooms and spicy fragrance. The bombe-shaped flowers grow heavy enough that the stems sometimes need support, especially in windy sites. This hybrid peony was bred by Lyman Glasscock in Illinois around 1944 and remains a favorite for both garden display and floral arrangements.

‘Félix Crousse’ peony

Félix Crousse produces large double blooms in a deep crimson shade with hints of pink. The flowers are heavy and often need support from a peony ring or stakes. This heirloom cultivar of Paeonia lactiflora was bred by Félix Crousse in France and introduced in 1881.

Fernleaf peony

Fernleaf peony (Paeonia tenuifolia) is an early-blooming species with crimson petals and bright yellow stamens. The finely cut foliage resembles fern fronds and stays attractive throughout the growing season. These plants often bloom around Mother’s Day, ahead of most garden peonies. Fernleaf peonies grow well in well-drained soil and tolerate dry conditions once established.

‘Buckeye Belle’ peony

Buckeye Belle is a semi-double variety with dark burgundy-red flowers that open early in the season. This cultivar grows compact, reaching 28 to 30 inches tall, and tolerates heat better than many other peonies. The flowers have a simple form with visible yellow centers.

‘Henry Bockstoce’ peony

Henry Bockstoce is a true red hybrid peony with large double blooms that resemble roses. The flowers grow on long stems suitable for cutting and have a pleasant fragrance. The stems are thick but may still need support when the flowers reach full size.

‘Felix Supreme’ peony

Felix Supreme is a cultivar of Paeonia lactiflora with richly colored red blooms. This variety is popular as a cut flower because of its long, sturdy stems and deep color. Plants often need support when grown in the garden.

‘Old Faithful’ peony

Old Faithful is a hybrid peony that produces large velvety red flowers year after year with little maintenance. The blooms are reliable and the plants rarely need staking. This variety works well in perennial borders where consistent performance matters.

‘Kirinmaru’ peony

Kirinmaru is a bicolor peony with white petals streaked with vibrant red. The double flowers have a fluffy appearance and a strong floral scent. The dark green glossy foliage looks attractive even after the blooms fade.

‘Benjamin Franklin’ peony

Benjamin Franklin is a red-pink double peony that blooms in mid-season. The plants grow tall for herbaceous peonies, making them good choices for the back of borders. The flowers are smaller than some other varieties and have little scent.

‘Black Beauty’ peony

Black Beauty is a cultivar of Paeonia lactiflora with purple-red double flowers that appear almost black in certain light. The blooms reach 6 to 7 inches wide and have a pleasant fragrance. This variety stands out in floral arrangements because of its unusually dark color.

‘Victoire de la Marne’ peony

Victoire de la Marne is an heirloom cultivar of Paeonia lactiflora with ruffled petals in shades of red, pink, and purple. The fragrant blooms attract hummingbirds and native bees. This variety works well both in the garden and as a cut flower.

‘Command Performance’ peony

Command Performance produces exceptionally large flowers 8 to 9 inches wide in cardinal red. The petals have serrated edges and the blooms carry a strong fragrance. Plants grow slowly and have grey-green foliage that differs from the typical peony leaf color.

‘Prince of Darkness’ peony

Prince of Darkness is an old-fashioned variety with red-maroon ruffled petals. The plants reach 30 to 36 inches tall and produce nicely scented flowers. This classic peony works equally well in garden beds and fresh bouquets.

‘Rachel’ peony

Rachel is an heirloom hybrid peony with ruffled red flowers. The blooms are highly fragrant and attract hummingbirds and beneficial pollinators. The scent and color combination make this variety popular in mixed plantings.

‘Red Sarah Bernhardt’ peony

Red Sarah Bernhardt is a cultivar of Paeonia lactiflora with large double blooms 7 to 8 inches wide. The flowers are highly scented and the plants have an upright growth habit. This variety may need staking or a peony ring when grown in the garden.

‘Diana Parks’ peony

Diana Parks is a true red American heirloom and an officinalis hybrid. The double flowers have large outer guard petals and finely cut inner petals with a floral fragrance. Plants reach 42 inches tall in good growing conditions, making them among the tallest herbaceous peonies.

‘Peter Brand’ peony

Peter Brand is an heirloom cultivar of Paeonia lactiflora with ruby-red double flowers 6 to 7 inches across. The blooms take on a pink-purple tone as the petals age. This variety rarely needs staking and has dark green foliage that looks good throughout the season.

‘Hillary’ Itoh peony

Hillary is an intersectional peony with bicolor red and yellow flowers. The petals show more red around the edges and in the center of the bloom. This herbaceous and tree peony hybrid grows short, reaching only about 2 feet tall, and works well in front borders.

‘Lollipop’ Itoh peony

Lollipop is an intersectional variety with yellow petals streaked with red. The striped appearance resembles candy and the bright flowers attract butterflies and beneficial pollinators. This hybrid grows compact and blooms reliably.

‘Shima-Nishiki’ tree peony

Shima-Nishiki is a cultivar of Paeonia suffruticosa also known as the Fire Flame peony. The red petals have cream-white streaks that create a flame-like pattern. Tree peonies bloom earlier than herbaceous types and have woody stems that remain through winter.

‘Cherry Hill’ peony

Cherry Hill is a burgundy-red double peony in the true color of a ripe cherry. This heirloom variety is highly fragrant and rarely needs staking. Plants grow tall, reaching 40 to 44 inches in good conditions.

‘François Ortegat’ peony

François Ortegat is a European heirloom with dark red semi-double flowers. This is one of the most fragrant magenta peonies available. The deep red petals hold their color well throughout the bloom period.

‘Belgravia’ peony

Belgravia produces red-pink blooms with soft, lush petals. The flowers can reach 8 to 10 inches wide and usually open red before maturing to deep pink. This variety works both in garden beds and as a cut flower.

Growing red peonies

Red peonies grow best in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light per day. Plant peony roots in fall, positioning the eyes 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface. Peonies need well-drained soil and do not tolerate wet feet. Space plants 3 to 4 feet apart to allow for good air circulation.

Most herbaceous peonies are hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 8. They need a period of winter cold to set buds properly. In warmer zones, choose varieties bred for heat tolerance like ‘Buckeye Belle’. Peonies planted too deep or in too much shade often fail to bloom. Check planting depth if an established peony stops flowering.

Peony care tips

Water peonies regularly during their first growing season to help roots establish. Once established, peonies tolerate some drought but bloom better with consistent moisture during bud formation. Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as shoots emerge. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that promote leaf growth at the expense of flowers.

Many double-flowered red peonies have heavy blooms that need support. Install peony rings or stakes in early spring before the stems grow tall. Remove spent flowers after blooming to keep the plant looking tidy. Leave the foliage in place until it yellows in fall. The leaves produce energy that the plant stores for next year’s growth. Cut back dead foliage in late fall and compost it if disease-free.