Mailing Address/Office:
Hidden Springs Flower Farm
813 Elm St.
Anoka, MN 55303-2823

Hybrid Peonies

Hybrid Peonies are the result of crossing two or more different species peonies. Although they exhibit all the flower forms found in our traditional lactiflora garden peonies they tend to have a greater representation in the single and semi-double forms. There are some strikingly beautiful doubles and very rarely are there found in the form called Japanese. The most striking example that I can think of is the variety Walter Mains. The often elegant flowers are found in colors from soft pastel lavender, fluorescent pink, coral, orange-red to vibrant cardinal red and yes even yellow which is found in it's brightest color among the intersectional peonies like Prairie Charm and the fragrant variety Yellow Crown.

Pink Hawaiian Coral  (Klehm 1981) Semi-double, fragrant salmon-pink to coral with a cupped shape bloom. 34" stems. A late-mid-season bloomer. This hybrid peony won the APS Gold Medal in 2000. $24.99 [Add to Cart]

Postillion  (Saunders 1941) Very brilliant enormous flat cup shaped, deep scarlet crimson blooms that can be as large as 10“ across on 42“ tall stems with dark glossy green foliage. Early. A Saunders Hybrid. $28.99 [Add to Cart]

Prairie Charm  (Hollingsworth 1992) Yellow flowering Itoh hybrid is a semi double bright yellow with robust leaves and red flares at the base of the petals. The side buds provide a succession of bloom for a long period of time during the bloom season. Vigorous hardy growth. 28” stems. $69.99 [Add to Cart]

Prairie Moon  (Fay 1959) Large soft creamy yellow blooms make this hybrid peony much sought after. Semi-double early on 32" stems. Some claim it is one of the most beautiful of the hybrid peonies. Plant has extra strong stems of medium height. The foliage is bright glossy green and holds this color until frost. The flower can be a full double some years and rather single when first planted so let it settle in for two years before judging it’s value. It is suitable as a cut flower also. $26.99 [Add to Cart]

Raspberry Charm  (Wissing 1985) Cousin to the incredibly popular Coral Charm this brilliant semi-double raspberry-red colored hybrid has the same form as Coral Charm. Strong 32" stems with clean foliage. Early season. $26.99 [Add to Cart]

Red Charm  (Glasscock 1944) Incredibly intense pure red color and strong flower stems make this bomb shaped, early blooming, long lasting hybrid a garden sensation. No fuchsia or purple tones. 36" tall stems. APS Gold Medal winner. $26.99 [Add to Cart]

Red Ensign  (Auten 1940) Hybrid semi-double, very glossy brilliant dark red. The plant is more compact, almost dwarf in habit than many hybrids. Rarely offered. Early season bloomer. We have an extremely short supply of this difficult to find hybrid available this season and when it is sold out will with hold it to rebuild our supplies again. $34.99 [Add to Cart]

Red Glory  (Auten 1937) Semi-double red hybrid, very early bloom, tall, rich, brilliant uniform dark red. Very large five layers of petals. $34.99 [Add to Cart]

Red Grace  (Glasscock 1980) Red Grace is a double deep red hybrid, ball form has tightly packed petals to almost form a complete globe, good substance and strong 36" stems. Once seen it remains etched in your mind as a model of fine form and grace. Although Red Charm gets more press I think this variety has better foliage and finer plant habit. Plant in full sun in a well drained soil. $26.99 [Add to Cart]

Red Red Rose  (Saunders 1942) Red Red Rose is a single to semi-double bright red hybrid with blooms that are cup shaped and held neatly above glossy foliage on sturdy 30” upright stems. The color of this one is outstanding, a clear red, and to make that point the introducer no doubt used the word red twice in the name. Early mid-season bloom. Plant in full sun in a well drained soil. $24.99 [Add to Cart]

Hybrid Peonies are some of the earliest peonies to bloom after the tree peonies and species peonies. There are a variety of leaf forms from narrow cutleaf forms to large almost tropical looking huge leaflets that make selection of these hybrid peonies even more interesting. Hybrid peonies are often noted for their very strong stems which need no staking except for the largest double flowered forms. Because of this they make excellent cut flowers. Those peonies with strong stems that do not require support in the garden are pointed out in the descriptions. You will find in our peony list many very difficult to find hybrid varieties at very reasonable prices.

Hybrid Peonies have some unusual parents involved in their genetic background and as a result they often have a very different root and crown structure. The most notable is when all the growing buds are clustered at the top a long and narrow crown which makes division very difficult. This also accounts for a smaller number of divisions from a single plant. Most all possess very strong stems and produce colorful peony bloom weeks ahead of the common garden peony varieties. The hybrids are often in great demand and sell out very quickly so don’t be disappointed if you delay in your ordering. Flower colors for the hybrid peonies vary from the brightest white to the darkest near black with vibrant reds, pastel pink, lavender, yellow, creamy pink and others with two tone coloration. Extend the peony bloom season with a selection of these hardy garden plants. The emerging foliage can be a stunning chocolate brown and seed pods with bright coral and steel blue seeds add interest later in the growing season adding to their garden value. Most bloom two weeks ahead of garden peonies providing color for a longer period of time in the garden. Because of their close relation to species peonies they all demand excellent drainage and none tolerate soggy soils so pick a spot just to their liking for success.