Peonies are revered as the “King of Flowers,” holding an exalted position in both Eastern and Western cultures. These magnificent blooms symbolize wealth, honor, and happiness, and have been treasured by royalty, nobility, and garden enthusiasts for centuries. Here is a journey through the world’s most spectacular peony gardens.

China

Luoyang National Peony Garden, Henan Province

Luoyang is known as the “Peony Capital” with over 1,500 years of peony cultivation history. The Luoyang National Peony Garden is one of China’s largest peony viewing gardens, featuring more than 1,000 varieties, including rare ancient cultivars. The annual Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival in April attracts millions of visitors, showcasing peonies in nine color groups ranging from pure white to deep purple. The garden also preserves many ancient peony varieties that are hundreds of years old.

Jingshan Park, Beijing

Located north of the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park’s peony garden displays varieties once cultivated for the Ming and Qing imperial families. This imperial garden features over 20,000 peony plants representing hundreds of varieties. During spring bloom, the flowers burst into color against the backdrop of ancient pavilions and temples, creating an unforgettable scene.

Caozhou Peony Garden, Heze, Shandong Province

Heze ranks alongside Luoyang as one of China’s two major peony centers. Caozhou Peony Garden houses over 1,000 varieties, many of which are locally endemic cultivars. The garden preserves precious varieties from the Ming and Qing dynasties and continues peony breeding research. Some peony trees are over 100 years old, making them living fossils.

Japan

Ueno Toshogu Peony Garden, Tokyo

This historic shrine garden showcases both Japanese and Chinese peony varieties. The peony garden holds special exhibitions in spring (April-May) and winter (January) each year. The winter exhibition is particularly unique, with peonies covered by traditional straw umbrellas (yukitsuri) that protect them from cold weather while creating a picturesque landscape.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Peony Garden, Kamakura

Located within the historic Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, this meticulously maintained garden displays approximately 500 peony plants set in a traditional Japanese garden environment. The garden combines peonies with Japanese aesthetics, showcasing Zen-influenced design principles.

Yuushien Garden, Shimane Prefecture

Situated on Daikonshima Island, Yuushien is one of Japan’s largest peony cultivation centers. The garden features spectacular indoor and outdoor displays, including a golden peony exhibition room where peonies bloom year-round in carefully controlled environments. The island’s volcanic soil provides ideal conditions for peony growth.

United States

Nichols Arboretum, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

This garden’s peony collection includes over 300 varieties, encompassing rare historic cultivars and modern hybrids. The peak bloom in early June showcases herbaceous peonies, tree peonies, and intersectional types (Itoh hybrids). The garden maintains part of the National Peony Collection.

Kingwood Center Gardens, Mansfield, Ohio

This 47-acre estate features extensive collections of herbaceous and tree peonies. The Peony Festival in late May to early June attracts visitors to see thousands of blooming peonies against the backdrop of the historic estate buildings.

Cricket Hill Peony Farm, Oregon

As one of North America’s largest peony nurseries, Cricket Hill opens its display gardens to the public during bloom season. The farm specializes in tree peonies and intersectional hybrids, showcasing hundreds of varieties including rare specimens from China, Japan, and Europe.

Europe

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London

Kew Gardens’ peony collection includes historic herbaceous and tree peony varieties. The garden maintains an important conservation collection, including wild peony species and rare cultivars. The late May bloom period is particularly spectacular in the Temperate Garden.

Gardens of Versailles, France

While known for its formal French gardens, Versailles also cultivates herbaceous peonies that were prized by French nobility when first introduced from China in the 18th century. Historic cultivars bloom in late spring.

National Botanic Gardens, Ireland, Dublin

This garden’s herbaceous and tree peony collection showcases European and Asian varieties. Ireland’s mild climate provides excellent conditions for peony growth, with particularly impressive displays from May to June.

Canada

Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens, Ontario

This botanical garden is renowned for its extensive peony collection, including over 300 varieties. The June Peony Festival showcases everything from traditional double-flowered varieties to modern single-flowered cultivars.

Planning Your Visit

Best Viewing Times:

• China: Mid-April to early May (Luoyang and Heze)
• Japan: Late April to mid-May (spring); January (winter exhibitions)
• North America and Europe: Late May to mid-June
• Tree peonies typically bloom two weeks earlier than herbaceous peonies

Climate Considerations: Peonies require cold winters to thrive, which is why the finest peony gardens are located in temperate climate zones.

Photography Tips: Peony flowers are large and richly layered, photographing best in soft morning light. Overcast days provide ideal diffused lighting for capturing detail-rich images.

Bloom Duration: Individual peony flowers typically last 7-10 days, but gardens can extend the display period to 4-6 weeks by planting early, mid-season, and late-blooming varieties.

Visiting Tips:

• Bloom times can vary significantly with weather—check gardens’ social media updates before planning your visit
• Weekdays are typically less crowded than weekends
• Many peony gardens offer guided tours during peak bloom
• Bring interchangeable lenses or macro photography equipment to capture the intricate details of the flowers

Types of Peonies

Herbaceous Peonies: Traditional perennials that die back to the ground each winter. The most widely grown with the greatest variety selection.

Tree Peonies: Woody shrubs that can grow several feet tall and live for decades or even centuries. Flowers are typically larger and more spectacular.

Intersectional Peonies (Itoh Hybrids): Crosses between herbaceous and tree peonies, combining the best characteristics of both—the growth habit of herbaceous peonies with the spectacular flowers of tree peonies.

Cultural Significance

In Chinese culture, peonies symbolize wealth, honor, and noble status, often called the “King of Flowers.” In Japan, they represent bravery and honor. In Western horticulture, peonies symbolize romance, prosperity, and happy marriage. Many peony gardens preserve not only plant varieties but also centuries of cultural tradition and horticultural knowledge.

Whether you’re a seasoned peony enthusiast or discovering these magnificent flowers for the first time, peony gardens around the world offer unforgettable experiences showcasing one of nature’s most spectacular floral displays.