Red peonies are some of the most striking blooms you can add to a garden, offering a luxurious range of shades from deep burgundy to vibrant cherry red. Their bold colors, lush petals, and strong stems make them a favorite for both landscape design and cut flower arrangements. But not all red peonies are created equal—some bloom early, others late, and each variety brings its own unique charm in form, color intensity, and fragrance. Whether you’re starting your peony collection or looking to add that perfect pop of red, knowing which varieties to choose can make all the difference.
Red Charm: The Iconic Standard
Among all red peonies, Red Charm is the one that sets the bar. This variety is renowned for its deep ruby red hue and dramatic bomb-shaped blooms. Each flower features large outer guard petals that cradle a densely packed, ruffled center—giving it a plush, sculpted look that never fails to impress.
An early bloomer, Red Charm often signals the start of peony season in many gardens. Its sturdy stems and glossy dark green foliage add to its overall appeal, making it just as attractive when not in bloom. With no visible stamens or pollen, the blooms maintain their rich, velvety appearance longer in arrangements.
This variety isn’t just loved for its looks—it’s also an award-winner, earning a Gold Medal from the American Peony Society back in 1956.
Henry Bockstoce: Bold and Brilliant
If you’re looking for red peonies that deliver maximum impact, Henry Bockstoce is a top contender. With massive, cardinal red blooms perched atop thick, upright stems, this variety brings unmatched presence to both gardens and floral arrangements. The fully double flowers have a rich, velvety texture and lack visible stamens, giving them a classic and polished look.
A subtle, sweet fragrance adds an extra layer of charm, while the vivid color remains consistent even in full sun. While its buds tend to open loosely—making timing for cutting a bit tricky—the results are well worth the effort. Although it grows shorter and takes a bit longer to mature than some varieties, its spectacular blooms make it a standout favorite for gardeners who love bold reds.
Paul M. Wild: Late Bloomer with Lasting Color
For gardeners who want their red peonies to shine later in the season, Paul M. Wild is a must-have. This variety features large, double blooms with a velvety texture and a rich raspberry-red tone that holds beautifully from bud to vase. Unlike some reds that fade over time, Paul M. Wild keeps its color vibrant—even as a cut flower.
The blooms are full and frilly, opening from smooth, tulip-shaped buds into show-stopping flowers with a pleasant, balanced fragrance. Its slightly cooler red tone—with hints of blue—pairs beautifully with white peonies like Festiva Maxima, creating elegant garden contrasts.
Best of all, its later bloom time makes it ideal for extending the red peony season just as earlier varieties are starting to fade.
Kansas: Crown Jewel of Color
If you’re after red peonies that command attention, Kansas is your showstopper. Though technically more of a deep fuchsia or watermelon pink than a true red, its bold, sparkling color has earned it legendary status in the peony world. With large, rose-shaped double blooms and a long vase life, Kansas is a go-to for floral designers and home gardeners alike.
First introduced in 1940, this variety quickly racked up awards, including the American Peony Society Gold Medal in 1957. Its tall stems and prolific blooming habit make it ideal for borders, backdrops, or cutting gardens where drama and color are welcome.
While it sometimes reveals bright yellow stamens, the bloom remains full and vibrant throughout its flowering cycle, adding flair to any setting.
Shawnee Chief: Compact and Striking
For those seeking red peonies that pack a punch in smaller spaces, Shawnee Chief is a standout choice. With its rich raspberry-red blooms and compact growth habit, this variety fits perfectly in tight garden spots that still deserve bold color. Its semi-double flowers open to reveal bright yellow stamens at the center, adding eye-catching contrast and texture.
While it has fewer petals than many other varieties, Shawnee Chief makes up for it with vibrant saturation and a touch of elegance. A light, pleasant fragrance adds to its charm, making it equally suited for garden beds or indoor vases.
As a late-season bloomer, it extends the beauty of your red peony collection just when others begin to fade—perfect for continuous color throughout spring and early summer.
Armani: Sophistication in Bloom
If elegance is what you’re after, Armani delivers one of the most refined options among red peonies. Its blooms feature a luxurious deep burgundy tone—often described as black cherry—with soft, satiny petals that reflex slightly as the flower matures. The effect is dramatic and sophisticated, especially when paired with its rosebud-like form in the early stages of bloom.
This variety carries a delicate fragrance and showcases golden stamens hidden inside the layers, adding subtle detail to its overall appearance. Armani grows tall and upright, making it ideal for cutting gardens or as a focal point in landscape designs.
While its blooms open quickly and may be shorter-lived in high heat, they truly shine in cooler environments where their color and form can be fully appreciated.
Old Faithful: Ever-Evolving Beauty
Among all red peonies, Old Faithful stands out for its ability to surprise and delight from bud to bloom. Starting as a tight, rose-like bud, it gradually opens into a lush flower with ruby red petals that lighten slightly as they age. Bright yellow stamens and seed pods peek through the center, offering a dynamic contrast and a layered visual experience.
This variety lives up to its name by being consistently reliable in both performance and impact. Its sturdy stems support large, richly colored blooms, making it a fantastic choice for cutting gardens. Old Faithful blooms later in the season, so it’s a great finale to your peony display.
Gardeners love this cultivar not just for its beauty, but for how it seems to change from day to day—adding a sense of movement and life to the garden.
Buckeye Belle: Texture and Contrast
Buckeye Belle is a unique addition to the world of red peonies, prized for its deep burgundy color and striking semi-double bloom form. Unlike fully double varieties, this one allows its golden yellow stamens and pink-tipped seed pods to shine through—creating a beautiful contrast against the rich, cupped petals.
Shorter in stature but big on impact, Buckeye Belle offers blooms that seem to glow in the garden. Its outer petals partially close at night, giving the flower a protective, almost sleeping appearance before reopening with the morning sun. This detail, combined with staggered bloom times on the plant, gives Buckeye Belle a longer display period than many others.
Perfect for compact spaces and garden borders, this variety offers a bold presence without taking up much room.
Mackinac Grand: Bright and Early
If you want your red peonies to make an early entrance, Mackinac Grand is the variety to grow. With its fire-engine red color and large, semi-double blooms, this peony grabs attention from the moment it opens. The vivid petals are broad and slightly cupped, creating a dramatic, open-faced flower that stands out in any setting.
Mackinac Grand blooms early in the season, offering vibrant color just as other plants are starting to wake up. Though its vase life is shorter than that of some fuller varieties, the sheer brightness of the bloom more than makes up for it. Once mature, it becomes a prolific producer, covering the plant in eye-catching flowers.
For gardeners seeking that unmistakable, glowing red, Mackinac Grand is a must-have early bloomer with serious visual power.
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Final Thoughts on Red Peonies
From rich burgundy tones to bright cherry reds, red peonies offer unmatched variety, drama, and beauty in the garden. Whether you prefer the velvety fullness of Red Charm, the raspberry elegance of Paul M. Wild, or the early-season brilliance of Mackinac Grand, there’s a red peony to match every garden style and bloom schedule.
When selecting the right red variety, consider not just color but also bloom time, fragrance, stem strength, and how each flower performs in different lighting. A well-planned peony bed with a mix of early, mid, and late-season reds will keep your garden glowing with color for weeks.
No matter your choice, red peonies bring bold elegance and lasting joy—both in the landscape and the vase.