Stunning Peonies – Facts, Colours & Meaning

Whether you call them Peonies - Peony Roses or Paeonia; loved worldwide, Peonies have large, lush abundant blooms up to the size of a dinner plate, and a fascinating history.

Let our Senior Florist Jo-Ann, introduce you to their origins, colours, and symbolism.

By Jo-Ann Moss | Best Blooms Florist Auckland

Flowers in Focus Series - Peonies

Can You Grow Peonies in Auckland?

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.

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In Season October - December

What Colours Do Paeonia Come In?

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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:

Early October: Coral Peonies, such as "Coral Charm", "Coral Sunset".

Mid-season: Burgundy "Red Charm" Peonies, Cerise and soft whites

Late season: A Big mix of colours from cerise, plums, warm pinks and the famous, most popular, Soft Pink "Sarah Bernhardt Peonies.
End season: Finally come the tree Peonies, with soft yellow blooms.

What Do Peonies Symbolise?

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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.

How do I get my Peonie Buds to Open?

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!)

Fun Facts About Peonies

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Peonies are native to Asia, Europe, and North America.
There are over 6500 varities of Peonies.
Peonies secrete a sugary substance – ants help blooms open by eating it.
Peony petals are edible, and sometimes added to salads, desserts, or drinks. It is said they have a flavour like strawberry or lemonade.
The Peony are considered a good omen and is the traditional flower to send for 12th wedding anniversaries.
The Netherlands produces 40% of the world’s cut Peonies. New Zealand has a strong export market for Peonies as they are flowering in the off-season for Nothern Hemisphere markets.

Can I grow peonies in my Auckland garden?

You can try, but sadly, peonies do not thrive in Auckland's warm, humid climate because they require cold winters with hard frosts to flower. While some local gardeners try to mimic these conditions by using ice on the soil, success is rare, so they are primarily grown in the cooler South Island.

How do I get tight peony buds to open?

You can help tight buds open by delicately rinsing the sticky, sugary coating off the flower head using warm water. Alternatively, you can gently pound the tight bud to crack the hard coating, which helps push the petals to open without damaging the flower.

When are peonies in season in New Zealand?

Peonies have a short but exciting season in New Zealand, running from early October through December. Because of this specific timing, they are the most requested flowers for weddings held during these spring and early summer months.

What do peonies symbolise?

In Western culture, these blooms mean love, romance, and honour, making them the most popular choice for bridal flowers. In Eastern traditions, however, they represent bashfulness and are frequently associated with medicine and mythology.

Why do ants like peony buds?

Peony buds secrete a sweet, sugary substance while they are forming, which naturally attracts ants. The ants eat this sticky coating, which is actually beneficial as it clears the way for the petals to open fully.

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Explore More Flower Seasons

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.

Ready to send beautiful flowers? Explore our full collection and reliable flower delivery in Auckland NZ today.

Jo-Ann Moss is the Creative Director at Best Blooms, an Auckland florist providing fresh flower delivery across the city. Jo-Ann writes about flower gifting, floral care tips, and how to choose the right bouquet for every occasion.

13 September 2025, 10:25 PM

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