Precious petals

Peonies are among the world’s favourite flowers, but these beautiful blooms only grow really well in cool and mountain climates—even in cold areas they can be a challenge. In warm climates, admire peonies as cut flowers but don’t succumb to planting them in the garden.

While there are many peony species and varieties, two types are grown in gardens: the herbaceous peony, which produces the much-loved peony bloom; and the tree peony, which is a tallish plant with a woody stem. Both have large blowsy rose-like flowers.

Peonies are often called “peony roses” but