In mid-April, as the last of the late tulips finished, the earliest peonies began to bloom in my garden. The very earliest are the coral varieties, Coral Charm and Coral Supreme, both semi-doubles. In addition, I found a light pink and white rogue in a hedge which I will have to wait to photograph when the nine other buds open as I missed photographing the first one. I’m also not sure which variety it is but as it had ten buds, it has to have been there for a long time and may have been a “volunteer”. Paula Fay had its first bloom a few days later and there are other varieties showing color on their buds.

Coral Charm, Semi-Double Peony and the earliest to bloom (April 16, 2012)

Pink and White volunteer Single (April 16 2012)

Paula Fay Peony, Semi-Double Rose Pink (April 19, 2012)

Princess Margaret, Double Rose Pink (April 20, 2012)

Red Charm Peony, Red Double (April 21 2012)

Double Coral opening from Bud. On the same plant are three stages of bloom as seen below. (April 21, 2012)

Double Coral Peony, same plant as above – Fully Opened (April 21, 2012)

On the same plant as the two blooms above – older white, Double Coral Peony (April 21, 2012)

Semi-Double Rose Peony (April 21, 2012)

These flowers come in many colors and shapes and bloom over a multi-month period in cold climates. Like other bulbs in warm areas, the bloom tends to come much closer together between the early, mid-early, mid, middle-late, and late varieties in warm climates. In warm climates, plant the earlier varieties as the buds on late varieties may fail to open when the hotter weather arrives. Japanese peonies os all types are also recommended.