Guide to Peony Varieties for Autumnal Bouquets

Peonies are most famous for their fleeting spring season, but clever florists and growers extend their availability into autumn through cold storage and imports from the Southern Hemisphere. Their lush, layered blooms bring romance, luxury, and dramatic volume to autumnal bouquets. With the right varieties and color choices, peonies harmonize beautifully with fall textures and tones.

1. Paeonia lactiflora (Herbaceous Peonies)

• Why they work: Classic double, semi-double, and single flowers with sumptuous ruffles. Many varieties are stored or imported for late-season floral work.

• Notable varieties for autumn palettes:

  • ‘Sarah Bernhardt’: Soft blush pink that pairs beautifully with dusky mauves and autumn neutrals.

  • ‘Kansas’: Bold crimson, perfect for jewel-toned fall bouquets.

  • ‘Duchesse de Nemours’: Ivory blooms with a hint of lemony fragrance, balancing deep autumn shades.

• Bouquet style: Adds lush focal points—romantic, garden-inspired, or formal arrangements.

2. Itoh Peonies (Intersectional Hybrids)

• Why they work: Hybrid between herbaceous and tree peonies, offering unique petal colors that often have golden, coppery, or coral undertones.

• Notable varieties:

  • ‘Bartzella’: Large, lemon-yellow blooms that mix well with bronze and burgundy tones.

  • ‘Cora Louise’: White petals with dramatic deep-purple centers, adding contrast.

  • ‘Copper Kettle’: A blend of orange, coral, and gold—perfectly autumnal.

• Bouquet style: Ideal for striking, painterly autumn arrangements with layered color play.

3. Tree Peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa)

• Why they work: Shrub-like habit with huge, papery flowers; less common in cut bouquets but prized for their exotic look.

• Notable varieties:

  • ‘Shimadaijin’: Deep violet blooms with regal presence.

  • ‘High Noon’: Bright golden-yellow, unique among peonies.

• Bouquet style: Adds drama and artistic flair, often used as a statement bloom.

4. Southern Hemisphere Peonies (Imported for Autumn Use)

• Why they work: While northern hemisphere peonies bloom in spring, growers in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia harvest in autumn, supplying fresh flowers for fall weddings and arrangements.

• Colors typically available: Whites, blushes, corals, and deep reds.

• Bouquet style: Extends peony season into fall—perfect for luxurious, romantic arrangements when local blooms aren’t available.

Harvesting & Arranging Tips

• Stage: Best cut in “marshmallow bud” stage—soft, not tight—to allow full opening in the vase.

• Longevity: 5–7 days in arrangements; condition stems in cool water to maximize vase life.

• Pairings for autumn bouquets:

  • Focal flowers: dahlias, garden roses, hydrangeas.

  • Texture: amaranthus, scabiosa pods, seed heads.

  • Foliage: smokebush, ninebark, eucalyptus, autumn oak leaves.

• Color strategies:

  • Deep reds + burgundy peonies for moody jewel-tone designs.

  • Soft blush + ivory peonies with muted hydrangeas for vintage-inspired bouquets.

  • Coral and golden Itoh peonies for painterly, harvest-hued arrangements.

Peonies lend an air of timeless romance to autumn bouquets. While they aren’t naturally fall bloomers, careful sourcing means their lush petals can still anchor arrangements, blending beautifully with seasonal textures and tones.