The best peonies for cut flower arrangements

Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt'

How could you pass up this classic? Hybrid Paeonia lactiflora Sarah Bernhardt is a remarkable herbaceous peony for its large double flowers in a soft pink shade, fragrant and delicate. It is highly appreciated for its long vase life and adds a touch of elegance to any cut flower arrangement. It is distinguished by its robustness and its bushy habit, reaching 80 cm to 1 metre tall. This garden jewel blooms from May to June with double flowers 16 cm in diameter with a delicious fragrance. The petals, in a silvery pale pink, enclose a salmon heart, are edged in white, and open like a pom-pom, evocative of delicate pink cabbages. Exposed to the sun, their colours gradually brighten. The flower consists of crinkled outer petals and smaller, denser central petals. It’s a reliable choice that’s easy to grow. In a contrasting and fresh bouquet, you can pair this lovely peony with the graceful inflorescences in the acid-green tint of the Alchemilla mollis.

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ (photo: F.D. Richards)

Peony 'Festiva Maxima'

The Peony ‘Festiva Maxima‘ is another reliable choice, easy to grow and perfect in cut flower arrangements. This beautiful Chinese peony displays its very double flowers, brilliant from May to June. They measure no less than 16 cm in diameter, and open to pure white, touched with carmine red. They are lightly scented. The plant forms a shrub of about one metre in height, and is a dependable choice for a border, in a white garden. In cut flower arrangements, pair its generous blooms with roses and with the dark purple foliage of the wild chervil, whose airy white umbels will echo them and will also be very attractive in a cut flower arrangement.

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Festiva Maxima’ (photo: James Steakley)

Peony 'Dr Alexander Fleming'

Peony ‘Dr Alexander Fleming’ is a long-established variety, still prized for the intoxicating fragrance of its full, perfectly rounded flowers. They bloom from May to June into a cleverly untidy pom-pom. They display a very fresh pink, with white at the heart and touched with carmine at the margins. With its numerous buds, it guarantees a prolonged flowering of 3 to 4 weeks. Compact, reaching up to 80 cm in all directions, with sturdy stems, it is ideal for creating cut flower arrangements. It is a reliable and floriferous choice that offers an abundance of flowers in late spring. In a bouquet, pair it with the foliage of eucalyptus ‘Baby Blue’, pale lilac and a few blue campanulas.

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Dr Alexander Fleming’

Paeonia lactiflora 'Coral Charm'

The Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’, this charming Chinese peony, is distinguished by its semi-double flowers of 15 cm in diameter, very globular when in bloom, reminiscent of certain old-rose varieties, as well as by their unusual colouring. They bloom in exquisite tones of apricot, peach, orange and pink, fading over time. Introduced in 1964, it was the first of its kind to display this unique shade, a subtle blend of pink and orange. ‘Coral Charm’ is characterised by bright green, robust but fairly open foliage, and sturdy stems reaching 85 cm in height when in bloom, which stand well in a vase. This variety, as unique as it is attractive, marks the start of the peony flowering season, with blooms from May. Its unusual colour and attractive form make it perfect for original, modern cut flower arrangements. Pair it with the blooms of the English shrub rose ‘Gentle Hermione’ ® or with pale blue delphiniums for a subtle contrast. In the same spirit, ‘Coral Sunset’ also features flowers in peach-pink to coral pink, perfect for cut flower arrangements.

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’

Peony 'Peter Brand'

Each flower of the Paeonia x lactiflora ‘Peter Brand‘, with its impressive diameter of 12 to 15 cm, unfolds in a profusion of petals in a deep and luminous red, reminiscent of the colour of a ripe cherry. This variety is notable for its glossy petals, the richness of its colour and its delightfully unruly habit. The flowers open in May–June in well-double, full and richly textured pom-poms. The cherry-coloured reflections are accentuated by the glossy texture of the petals. Slightly scented, they rise proudly to about 80 cm above dark green foliage. In a cut flower display, this peony adds a touch of sophistication and elegance. Its voluminous habit and the richness of its colour make it an ideal choice for floral displays, particularly when paired with softer-hued blooms, those of carnations, to the Iris ‘Cherry Garden’, offering cherry-red flowers with a silky texture or the delicate foliage of a fern such as the Clayton’s Osmunda.

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Peter Brand’

Itoh peony 'Yellow Crown'

Itoh peony ‘Yellow Crown’ is an exceptional hybrid variety, highly sought after in cut flower arrangements for its bright yellow colour, a shade uncommon among peonies. In May–June, its large semi-double satin flowers measuring 15 to 18 cm in diameter feature broad, undulate outer petals surrounding a heart of smaller, curled petals, creating an appealing texture and volume. This variety is also distinguished by its good vase life, making it an ideal choice for durable floral displays. Its delicate fragrance adds a pleasant olfactory dimension to the arrangements. In a bouquet, the Peony ‘Yellow Crown’ pairs harmoniously with flowers in complementary tones such as the blue of a Delphinium ‘Blue Lace’, which will bring a vertical touch of elegance to the bouquet or some Myosotis.

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Yellow Crown'</caption]

Peony ‘Do Tell’

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Do Tell’ is an attractive variety that is distinguished by its single, delicate flowers 7 to 10 cm in diameter. Its petals are tender pink, delicately washed with lilac tones, open to reveal a frilled centre with long, slender stamens in tones of deeper pink and cream. Its large single flowers are very pretty in a cut flower arrangement. They diffuse a soft, subtle fragrance that adds to their appeal. This peony typically flowers in April–May and reaches about 80 cm in height. In a cut flower arrangement, Dicentra spectabilis will accompany it to create a very romantic floral display.

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Do Tell’