Red peonies are among the most striking and dramatic blooms you can grow in a garden. With hues ranging from deep burgundy to vibrant cherry and even raspberry red, these flowers bring bold color, rich texture, and timeless elegance to any landscape. But choosing the right red peonies can be tricky—what looks like ruby in one light might appear plum or pink in another.
That’s why gardeners and floral designers alike value understanding the subtle differences between red peony varieties. From bloom shape and stem strength to vase life and fragrance, every detail matters when selecting the perfect red peonies for your garden or event.
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Red Charm
If you’re searching for a classic, bold bloom, Red Charm is one of the most beloved red peonies you can plant. Known for its deep ruby red petals and full, bomb-style blooms, this variety sets the standard for what many consider a “true red” peony.
Red Charm opens with large guard petals that cradle a dense cluster of ruffled inner petals, creating an elegant shape that stands out both in the garden and in floral arrangements. With its dark green, glossy foliage and compact growth, it’s a perfect fit for smaller spaces or the front of peony borders.
An early bloomer, Red Charm signals the start of peony season and has earned global recognition, including the American Peony Society Gold Medal. If you’re building a collection of red peonies, this iconic variety deserves a front-row seat.
Henry Bockstoce
Henry Bockstoce stands out with its massive, full blooms and rich cardinal red color that draws the eye from across the garden. This variety is known for its bold presence, with strong, upright stems that support its large, densely petaled flowers. The color is a true red—vivid and uniform—with no visible stamens, giving it a solid, sculptural look.
Though it may take a bit longer to reach full maturity, this peony rewards patience with its lush blooms and subtle, sweet fragrance. The buds often open early, making timing important for cut flower use. In the landscape, it adds vibrant contrast to green foliage and performs well as a focal point.
For those looking to add show-stopping red peonies to their collection, Henry Bockstoce is a dependable and dramatic choice.
Paul M. Wild
Velvety, vibrant, and full of texture, Paul M. Wild is a standout among red peonies. Its large, double blooms are a rich raspberry red with cool undertones that give it a luxurious appearance, especially when paired with white or blush varieties in arrangements.
This variety is prized not only for its bold color but also for its long-lasting vase life. Unlike some red peonies that fade quickly, Paul M. Wild holds its intensity from bud to full bloom. Its tulip-shaped buds open into frilly, full flowers that maintain their shape and color beautifully.
A mid-to-late season bloomer, it’s ideal for extending the red peony display in your garden. Whether in the ground or a vase, Paul M. Wild delivers consistent beauty with every stem.
Kansas
Kansas is often called the crown jewel of red peonies—though its color leans more toward vivid watermelon or deep fuchsia than a traditional red. What makes it a must-have is its showstopping intensity and reliable performance in both garden beds and floral designs.
The blooms are large, rose-shaped, and densely packed with petals. Some flowers show bright yellow stamens at the center, while others remain solid and full. Introduced in the 1940s, Kansas has earned several accolades, including the American Peony Society Gold Medal, thanks to its dazzling presence and long vase life.
If you’re looking for red peonies that bring energy and color saturation, Kansas is a fantastic choice. It’s also one of the taller varieties, making it ideal for planting at the back of borders or using as a vertical accent in a cutting garden.
Shawnee Chief
For gardeners craving something bold yet slightly unexpected, Shawnee Chief delivers a rich raspberry red bloom that’s both elegant and vibrant. Its color has blue undertones similar to Kansas, but its layered petals and striking yellow stamens set it apart visually.
This variety produces more compact blooms with fewer petals than some of the fluffier red peonies, giving it a tidy, sculpted look. The lightly fragrant flowers open from small, rounded buds and shine in both garden beds and vase arrangements.
Shawnee Chief blooms later in the season, making it a perfect filler when earlier varieties begin to fade. It’s also compact in habit, making it ideal for smaller gardens or tight planting spots where you still want a pop of rich color.
Armani
If sophistication had a flower, it would be Armani. This variety boasts deep burgundy, almost black cherry petals with a subtle satin sheen that gives it a high-end, designer feel—true to its name. The blooms open from rosebud-shaped buds and mature into soft, reflexing petals that curve gracefully back toward the stem.
Armani is lightly fragrant and carries pollen-filled stamens tucked among its petals, adding visual interest to cut arrangements. Although the blooms are modest in size—about four inches—they stand tall on long, elegant stems, making them ideal for floral displays or garden borders that need vertical drama.
For gardeners who appreciate darker-toned red peonies with a refined, moody edge, Armani brings both style and structure to the landscape.
Old Faithful
True to its name, Old Faithful is a reliable and rewarding red peony that delivers an evolving show from bud to bloom. It starts as a tight, rose-like bud and gradually opens into a rich ruby-red flower accented by golden stamens and seed pods at its heart.
As the bloom matures, the red brightens and softens slightly, giving the flower depth and character throughout its lifespan. This variety is a late-season bloomer, making it a perfect grand finale to the peony growing season.
Old Faithful grows on strong, upright stems and offers excellent structure in the garden. For those who enjoy watching their red peonies change over time, this one provides a dynamic display that never disappoints.
Buckeye Belle
Striking and deeply colored, Buckeye Belle is a semi-double red peony that blends drama with charm. Its deep burgundy petals cup around a bold center of bright yellow stamens and pink-tipped seed pods, creating a stunning contrast that draws attention instantly.
Although shorter than some other varieties, Buckeye Belle makes up for its height with sheer flower power. Its large, loosely arranged inner petals shift gently as the bloom opens and closes with the daylight, giving the plant a sense of movement and life.
One of the best features of Buckeye Belle is its extended blooming period. Because the buds don’t all open at once and the flowers last well after blooming, this is one of the most long-lasting red peonies you can add to your garden.
Mackinac Grand
If you’re after intensity and impact, Mackinac Grand is the boldest of them all. With its fire-engine red blooms and massive flower heads, this early-season variety puts on a show from the moment it opens. Its semi-double form and cupped petals create a lush, open appearance that glows in garden beds and floral arrangements alike.
Awarded the American Peony Society Gold Medal in 2013, Mackinac Grand is not only admired for its vivid color but also for its impressive productivity once established. Though its vase life is shorter than some other red peonies, the brilliant color and size of the blooms more than make up for it.
This peony is perfect for gardeners who want maximum visual impact at the start of the blooming season. It’s a true head-turner and a vibrant way to kick off your peony display.
Conclusion
Whether you’re curating a cut flower garden or building a showy perennial border, red peonies offer unmatched color, variety, and visual drama. From the deep ruby tones of Red Charm to the fiery brilliance of Mackinac Grand, each variety brings its own personality to the garden.
As you plan your peony collection, consider bloom time, growth habit, and color undertones—especially if you’re combining different shades or using them for events. And when ordering, ask your grower about how lighting can affect the appearance of each bloom. With the right selections, your red peonies will be a stunning highlight year after year.