I wish I could say yes, but sadly, Peonies don’t thrive in Auckland’s warm, humid climate. They need cold winters with hard frosts to flower. In New Zealand, they are grown in the South Island and cooler regions. While gardeners in Auckland sometimes experiment with ice to mimic frosts, success is rare.
This fleeting season is part of the charm of peonies, and why there is such excitement when they are finally available. These romantic blooms are attractive in both open flowers, and partially open buds. They are an enjoyable flower to have in a vase as they come to life from tight buds to huge ruffly flowers.
Paeonia (Peonies) range in shades of soft pinks, whites, and yellows, to vibrant raspberry shades, rich reds and stunning corals.
Colours vary throughout the Short Season:
In Eastern traditions, Peonies symbolise bashfulness, and are linked to medicine and mythology. There are many eastern paintings in chinoserie style, where you will see lush peonies, depicted in gold leafing and embellishments. The flamboyant flower is often painted in scenes with Lions, Tigers, Koi Carp and Dragons and other high status animals.
In Western culture, Peonies represent love, romance, and honour, making them popular for weddings and anniversaries, and are by far the most requested bridal flower.
Peonies produce a sugar like substance which coats the bud while forming. This sugary coating can prevent your blooms from opening fully - in nature - ants eat this up, allowing the blooms to open.
In cut flowers, this coating can be delicately rinsed off, by immersing briefly in warm water. You can also gently pound your tight peonies, which will crack the hard coating, pushing the bud to open. (No - it won't damage the flower when you do this!)
Peonies would be the most requested bloom for wedding flowers - which is perfect if you are getting married between October through December. Early Coral Peonies mark the start of the season, with colours changing as different varieties flower.
Curious about other flowers and when they bloom? See our Seasons of Flowers guide to know what’s in season throughout the year.
🌸 Want to enjoy them while they last? Order fresh Peony bouquets for Auckland delivery.
Every bloom has its own special time of year. If you’d like to learn more, explore our seasonal guides for Tulips in season, Roses in season, Lilies in season, and Orchids in season.
Jo - Creative Designer Best Blooms Florist Auckland | 13 September 2025, 01:22 AM
Like this article 273 others enjoyed this article
News from our Auckland Florist Shop
Seasonal Flowers in New Zealand
Cultural Floral Celebrations in NZ
The Nostalgic Traditions of Flowers
