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In search of flowers in the Northeast

Category: Paeoniaceae

Peony Family: Paeoniaceae

We love peonies! Fragrant, bushy flowers in all shades of reds, pinks, and whites with big, luscious green leaves. These plants are perennials that send up fresh stems every year. They bloom in June but the leaves make a great backdrop for any garden for the rest of the summer. Native peonies, found in the West, typically have five separate petals. Cultivated peonies, which are a favorite for gardeners, have been bred to produce multiple petals. The numerous stamens, typically 50 to 150 per flower, have been cultivated to become extra petals.