Peonies are favored for their showy flowers which, for the most part, are completely maintenance-free once well-established. These easy-care perennials will return year after year to delight the landscape with stunning texture and color. But many peonies also have another dimension they can bring to the garden.
Fragrant peonies can make for an increased sensory experience in an outdoor space, bringing an attractive scent to seating areas or dining areas in the garden. Here we look at a number of peonies that are known for their fragrant flowers.
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All About Fragrant Peonies
Fragrant peonies can vary from those with a strong fragrance to those with a mild fragrance, and the level of fragrance a peony gives off can actually vary according to the time of day, the temperature, humidity, and the age of the flower. Most peonies that emit a fragrance tend to be more heavily scented in the morning, and when they first bloom.
This is because the essential oils in the flowers which emanate an aroma will begin to evaporate as the flower ages. The early morning sun can also play a part, warming the flower up at the beginning of the day so that the fragrance is at its strongest during this time. Some peonies are so heavily influenced by these factors that they can be heavily fragranced in the morning, and by evening they will seemingly not have any fragrance at all.
The type of fragrance you can experience from peony flowers varies widely. Some types of peonies have a refreshing citrus scent, reminiscent of lemon, while others can be spicy, or rose-like.
In general, the most heavily fragranced peonies tend to be those which have double forms. Single peonies rarely offer a scent, and red peonies are among the least fragranced color of peonies.
Peonies with a Strong Fragrance
Peonies that have a strong fragrance are best enjoyed in the garden. They offer a noticeable scent that could be considered as overwhelming in the home if the peonies were used as cut flowers.
Strongly fragranced peonies will emit an aroma which can be detected from several feet away, so you could plant these peonies in a border along a pathway where the scent can be experienced as you walk down the path. Peonies with a strong fragrance could also be grown near an outdoor seating area or outdoor dining area so that the scent can be enjoyed while time is spent outside.
Cora Stubbs Peony
- Botanical name: Paeonia lactiflora ‘Cora Stubbs’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
This peony produces flowers that are lovely in both look and scent. The outer petals of these blooms are lilac at first, later fading to pink.
The center of the flower features a mound of densely packed creamy-pink staminodes, creating the impression that one flower is bursting out from the other. The fragrance these blooms give off is strong and spicy.
Henry Bockstoce Peony
- Botanical name: Paeonia ‘Henry Bockstoce’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
Generally speaking, red peonies don’t tend to have much of a fragrance, but ‘Henry Bockstoce’ is the exception to the rule. This double-form flowering plant produces heavily scented, saucer-like flowers in a vivid shade of scarlet.
The flowers have a sweet yet spicy scent and typically measure around 8 inches across. This is a plant that blooms reliably and abundantly, on strong, erect stems which require no support.
Hermione Peony
- Botanical name: Paeonia lactiflora ‘Hermione’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
This pink peony has a strong floral fragrance that is sweet and alluring. The double flowers are packed with layer upon layer of frilled, ruffled petals, making for a truly stunning appearance. The sugar-pink blooms contrast perfectly against the glossy green foliage of the plant.
Philomele Peony
- Botanical name: Paeonia lactiflora ‘Philomele’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
This peony is known for being one of the most heavily fragranced peonies available, with a scent that is strong, sweet, and floral. The flowers have an anemone form, with outer pink petals that open out to make way for a ruffled honey-mustard colored center.
Despite being first introduced over a century ago in 1861, ‘Philomele’ remains a garden favorite for its rich scent and showstopping blooms.
Peonies with a Moderate Fragrance
Peonies with a moderate fragrance work well as cut flowers in a large room, to fill the space with an attractive scent. These plants are also a nice choice for borders and growing in pots on patio areas, where the scents will be more subtle.
Garden Treasure Peony
- Botanical name: Paeonia ‘Garden Treasure’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
This is a peony plant that produces yellow flowers which have a sweet lemon scent. It is regarded as one of the best types of yellow Itoh peonies, due to its large semi-double flowers which bloom in profusion with upwards of 50 flowers on a single bush.
Honey Gold Peony
- Botanical name: Paeonia ‘Honey Gold’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
This is a sweetly scented peony that makes for excellent cut flowers, due to its fragrance which is pleasant and noticeable without being overwhelming.
The flowers have white outer petals and yellow centers, for a two-toned look. They are midseason bloomers that will remain in flower for between 1 and 2 weeks.
Lady Alexandra Duff Peony
- Botanical name: Paeonia ‘Lady Alexandra Duff’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
This is an heirloom variety of peonies that were introduced at the turn of the 20th century. It produces double flowers in pastel pink, with heavily ruffled petals that create a full and luscious look. The fragrance of these flowers is elegant and sweet.
Mother’s Choice Peony
- Botanical name: Paeonia lactiflora ‘Mother’s Choice’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
‘Mother’s Choice’ is an heirloom variety of peonies with large double flowers which vary in color from ivory to champagne. They have a delicate and alluring scent. The plant has won multiple awards for its beauty and strength, and makes an excellent landscape plant, as well as for use in cut flower bouquets.
Peonies with a Subtle Fragrance
Peonies that have a subtle fragrance work really well as cut flower bouquets. These are the types of scented blooms that you have to put your face close to in order to enjoy the fragrance. To fill a room with the fragrance from these flowers, use them in a small space such as a washroom. In the garden, the scent from these flowers won’t be noticeable unless you are really getting up close to them.
Rozella Peony
- Botanical name: Paeonia ‘Rozella’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
This bold peony produces striking pink flowers that stand proud in the landscape, contrasting against the green foliage. The blooms give off a very subtle fragrance which some people find displeasing, while others enjoy it. The scent is so mild that it will not be noticeable unless you move the flowers close to your nose.
Elsa Sass Peony
- Botanical name: Paeonia lactiflora ‘Elsa Sass’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
The flowers produced by this plant are pure white in color, with yellow stamens that are mostly hidden due to the density of the petals. The flowers look similar to roses and have a very gentle, sweet scent.
This plant has a compact growth habit, sending out erect stems which stand strong to hold the flowers upright even in adverse weather. The flowers of this plant are large and attractive, ideal for use in the landscape or as cut flowers.
Sea Shell Peony
- Botanical name: Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sea Shell’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
The flowers of this plant start out with rosy pink buds which open out to reveal bright yellow stamens. As the flowers age, the vivid pink petals fade to blush. The plant was first introduced in the 1930s, and it has remained among the most popular varieties of pink peonies.
The scent of the ‘Sea Shell’ peony flowers is subtle and sweet, making them ideal for use as indoor cut flower displays. The blooms are held atop strong and sturdy stems which do not need to be supported. As a midseason peony, you can expect this plant to bloom in early summer for up to 2 weeks.
