Queens of Late Spring: The Fascinating World of Peonies With Our Florists
Peonies are the embodiment of romance and elegance. Their huge, fluffy blooms and sweet scent make them the absolute stars of late spring. But did you know there are many species and hundreds of varieties, differing in shape, color, and characteristics?
At Květiny Expres, we love peonies and consider them the highlight of every season. Our florists Monika, Bára, Jana, and Andrea have put together a guide to the world of the most beautiful peonies of 2026, ready to brighten up your vase.
1. Herbaceous Peonies (Paeonia lactiflora) – A Classic That Never Disappoints
These are the best-known and most popular peonies you'll find in our cut bouquets. They're prized for their huge, full blooms and gorgeous scent.
Huge blooms: Often 15–20 cm in diameter!
A gorgeous scent: Sweet, intense, and unmistakable.
Great longevity: With proper care, they last up to a week in a vase.
Tip from florist Monika: "Our absolute favorite is the variety 'Sarah Bernhardt' – those iconic, light pink peonies with full blooms. In June we source them directly from verified growers, which guarantees their unbeatable freshness. It's also our most popular choice for wedding bouquets!"
Other popular varieties for cutting:
'Shirley Temple': A romantic white peony with a delicate pink blush.
'Karl Rosenfield': A deep red peony, very bold and dramatic.
'Festiva Maxima': White with crimson flecks, an elegant classic.
2. Tree Peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) – An Exotic Rarity
These peonies grow as shrubs, and their blooms are often even larger and more exotic than herbaceous peonies. You'll encounter them less often in cut form, since they're rarer and their stems tend to be shorter. But if you do come across them, it's a real treat.
What makes them special:
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Giant blooms: Can reach up to 25 cm in diameter.
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Delicate structure: The petals are often thinner, almost silky ("papery").
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Interesting centers: They have striking, often contrastingly colored centers.
3. Itoh Hybrids (Intersectional) – Modern Stars
These are the "super-peonies" of the future, created by crossing herbaceous and tree peonies. They combine the best of both worlds and are becoming increasingly interesting to florists.
Their advantages in a vase:
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Strong stems: The blooms hold upright better and don't break under their own weight.
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New colors: It's the Itoh hybrids that give us stunning yellow and apricot shades, which classic herbaceous peonies lack (e.g. the famous variety 'Bartzella').
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Longer vase life: They often last a bit longer in a vase than the classic types.
How to Care for Peonies in 2026?
Peonies are gorgeous, but they need a bit of expert care to fully open:
Into water right away: After delivery, immediately trim the stems with a sharp knife (an angled cut) and place them in a vase of cold water.
Remove the leaves: Any leaves below the waterline must go, so the water stays clean.
A cooler spot: Peonies don't like direct sun or drafts.
Tip from florist Bára: "Sometimes a bud refuses to open because it's 'glued shut' by sugary sap. Try very gently rubbing the bud between your fingers, or hold it briefly, head down, under lukewarm running water. It often helps, and the flower will beautifully open within a few hours!"
Discover the magic of peonies with us. Their 2026 season is short (May–June), so don't miss it!
Discover the Magic of Peonies With Us
With love for peonies, Monika, Bára, Jana, Andrea, and the whole KvětinyExpres.cz team
Choose Your Peony Bouquet
