Peonies in Warmer Climates: Varieties & Tips for Success

Peonies typically need a significant number of chill hours (500-1000 hours below 45°F) in winter to set buds and bloom well. However, some varieties have shown promise in warmer zones (Zone 8–9+), where chill hours are limited. While results can vary due to local conditions and growing practices, certain varieties consistently perform better with reduced chilling.

For Southern Growers

Tips & Tricks

Planting depth

Shallow planting is essential. Ensure buds (eyes) are no deeper than 1" below the soil surface to maximize exposure to cooler temperatures.

Choosing the right location

Choose the coldest microclimate available in your growing area - aim for spots where frost lingers longest in winter or where cold air naturally settles.

watering

Avoid overwatering, especially in clay soils, or underwatering in sandy soils; irregular irrigation and flooding can stress plants. Remember peonies need water in the hottest, driest months of summer.

Monitoring

Watch for disease. Inadequate chill may stress plants and lead to higher susceptibility to fungal issues like botrytis, rust, leaf spot and powdery mildew. Cut down and dispose of any infected material at the end of the season (do not compost) to reduce spore transmission. A broad-spectrum fungicide in early spring while the peonies are growing can help prevent many of these common peony diseases.

Experiment

Start with small-scale trials. Plant a few different varieties to see what works best in your specific location.

Varieties More Likely to Succeed in Warmer Climates

Based on both anecdotal experience and grower feedback, the following varieties demonstrate strong potential in low-chill environments. As you will see, many of these varieties are the earliest bloomers, but not all fall into this subcategory.

While peonies remain a challenging crop in Zones 9 and warmer, these varieties and methods offer hope for success with some experimentation and care.

Peony Coral Sunset

Coral Sunset is large and semidouble, opening a bright coral pink and fading to a soft pastel salmon and finally creamy yellow over the course of a few days. Coral Sunset has a fuller flower compared to Coral Charm, giving it excellent shape and substance. A must-have for any peony field.

Peony Coral Sunset (3/5 eye, 35 roots)

$276.00

Product variants

Peony Etched Salmon

Flowering early to mid season, this gold medal winning beauty has a bit of a cult following. The soft salmon to coral flowers have the shape of a giant symmetrical garden rose and the color simply glows with a silver cast. This is one of the most sought after peonies on the market today.

Peony Etched Salmon (3/5 eye, 50 roots)

$2,165.00 Sold Out

Product variants

Peony Soft Salmon Saucer

This Canadian-bred peony is refined and elegant, with a single row of salmon pink petals cupping the intricate golden center. This variety is all about subtlety - she won't overwhelm the senses with bright colors or intense fragrance. Nothing else quite like it on the market.

Peony Soft Salmon Saucer (3/5 eye, 50 roots)

$560.00

Product variants

Peony Alertie

Alertie is a fully double peony with a fluffy inner pompom surrounded by broad outer petals. Sweetly fragrant and early flowering, this variety can be variably hued from near white to medium pink. Although on the shorter side, it is quite floriferous and will produce lots of stems for cutting.

Peony Alertie (3/5 eye, 50 roots)

$349.00

Product variants

Peony Command Performance

Fully double flowers are absolutely loaded with ruffled petals that start off deep scarlet and change daily over their two week vase life. This is a color chameleon, starting red and transforming to dark orange, salmon and finally creamy white. Both the bud and the flower have excellent substance and are absolutely massive, bringing drama to any bouquet or floral creation.

Peony Command Performance (3/5 eye, 50 roots)

$412.00

Product variants

Peony Lemon Chiffon

We don't know if you're ready for the beauty that is Lemon Chiffon - impressively large, semi- to fully-double lemon yellow flowers with petals that ruffle and swirl, reminiscent of a garden rose. Widely known as one of the best yellow herbaceous peony, this is variety is slightly more compact and will stay upright in wind and rain.

Peony Lemon Chiffon (3/5 eye, 50 roots)

$1,299.00 Sold Out

Product variants

Peony Mother's Choice

With hints of champagne and fully double flowers that take on the elegant shape of a rose, Mother’s Choice might be one of the most beautiful varieties we are offering this year. This gold-medal winner grows best in areas with lots of sun and is susceptible to botrytis in climates that are overcast and wet most of the time. Shorter in stature, they are less likely to flop in wind and inclement weather. This late-blooming variety is sure to fetch top dollar for wedding and design work.

Peony Mother's Choice (3/5 eye, 50 roots)

$465.00

Product variants

Peony Monsieur Jules Elie

A French variety from the 1800's, this cultivar has truly stood the test of time with its fully double flowers, packed with ruffly rose-pink petals. Highly fragrant, with petals that take on a silver sheen as they age.