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

Species Peonies

Species Peonies from Hidden Springs Flower Farm are sold as fresh dug field divisions from mature flowering plants. These are not small seedlings that are years from blooming. This gives you a better start and all are grown in unprotected fields here in Minnesota. Our growing zone is USDA zone 4. The species peonies are found in colors from pure white, soft pastel lavender, pink, vibrant red-orange, lipstick red, patterned flowers and even yellow. Species peonies are some of the first peonies to bloom in the perennial garden to start the peony boom season off in grand style. Species peonies have a wide range of plant sizes and foliage types from the fern leaf peonies narrow foliage to wide blue green foliage of the species from Soviet Georgia like Paeonia mascula triternata.

Paeonia officinalis rubra plena   (ancient species) The Red Memorial Day Peony of intense brilliant crimson red color cultivated for centuries in Europe is a true antique of great garden value yet today. Plant in full sun in a well drained soil. $22.99 [Add to Cart]

Paeonia officinallis anemoneflora  (wild species) The anemone form of the species rosy red chalice with an orange-yellow center, 14", very early blooming, creates a spreading mound. A very attractive garden performer and charming rock garden plant. Known for many hundreds of years in Europe it is not often offered and we sell out quickly each time it is offered. As always supplies are limited. $24.99 [Add to Cart]

Paeonia officinallis humilus (wild)  (wild species) Dwarf compact growing form of the species with pink blossoms comes from a more restricted geographic area. The original seed came from France sent by an avid species peony grower there. Very early season bloom. 12” Very limited supply. This has always been a slower grower for us and perhaps in our new location nearly 200 miles further south it will appreciate the longer growing season and richer soil. We hope so as it has been a darling little plant. $28.99 [Add to Cart]

Paeonia peregrina  (wild species) Single vibrant red cupped flower with glossy deep green foliage. This is my number one favorite of all the peony species. 20” Tall. The picture can speak for it better than I can describe it’s brilliant red color. Our original stock came from Germany many years ago and still stops people in their tracks when seeing it blooming alongside our home driveway. It is my personal favorite peony in all the world! $24.99 [Add to Cart]

Paeonia peregrina 'Sunshine'  (selected form of species) (aka Otto Froebel) This is a selected clone of the species used successfully to create our salmon, coral, flamingo or cherry colored hybrids. 20” Easy to please its bright red cup shaped flowers and deep green leaves are a perfect compliment to one another. Used by Saunders and Glasscock to produce many of the most collectable hybrids today. Needs full sun and a well drained soil. $24.99 [Add to Cart]

Paeonia peregrina Banat Region  (wild species) This group of plants grown from seed collected in Roumania are perhaps my best forms of the species peregrina. Very fertile they have a brilliance that is unbelievable. Single vibrant red cupped flower with glossy deep green foliage. This is my number one favorite of all the peony species. 20” Tall. The picture can speak for it better than I can describe it’s brilliant red color. These are divisions of the plants grown from wild seed and if you order more than one you may get a division from one of the 9 clones that I grew from wild collected seed. The first seedlings to bloom from sibling crosses were just as beautiful as the parents. Very limited supply. Only a few plants left for ordering for this year. $34.99 [Add to Cart]

Paeonia tenuifolia Fern Leaf Peony  (wild species) Single form of the fern-leaf peony used in hybridizing and makes a wonderful plant for the sunny rock garden. Much more dainty than the double flowered form at only 12” tall. Must have well drained soil and it will go dormant as early as August and should not be overwatered then. $26.99 [Add to Cart]

Paeonia tenuifolia flore plena Double Fern Leaf Peony   (ancient species) Double fern-leaf peony is scarlet lipstick red and the earliest blooming of the double peonies. It must be grown in well drained soil in full all day sun. It can go dormant in early summer and should not be over watered at that time. Water from automatic sprinklers has been known to kill this plant so be sure and plant it where you can control the amount of water it will receive and cut back on watering once it starts to go dormant. $44.99 [Add to Cart]

Paeonia veitchii  (wild species) This woodland edge peony has 2 or more flowers per stem of a lovely lavender pink. The blooms often face outward in a wild flower fashion. One of the latest to emerge from the ground in the spring it quickly races ahead to be one of the first to bloom. Finely divided foliage emerges an attractive bronze later than other peony species. 12” Early Very few available this season. $26.99 [Add to Cart]

Paeonia lagodechiana wild  (wild species) Already sold out for 2008, next available Fall 2010. If you wish to be on the waiting list should one become available please send us an e-mail by using the Contact Us link to the left. Thank you! These were grown from wild collected seed where the species of P. mlokosewitschii and P. caucasica overlap and the resulting plants can be pale yellow with a delicate picotee edge of pink or a lighter pink than that found in P. caucasica. Some botanists consider it a separate species others consider it a natural hybrid and others believe it is just a normal variation in flower color of one species. Whatever it is it is just a beautiful looking plant blooming very early on small compact plants. These are mature divisions from our stock plants, not seedlings. Sold out already for 2008, next available in 2010. If we have any extra available this fall we will use our waiting list so please send an e-mail if you are interested in being on the list. Thanks! $28.99 [Add to Cart]

Species Peonies are often noted for their more diminuative plant habit like Paeonia veitchii, Paeonia officinallis humilus and Paeonia tenuifolia which never need staking. The only exceptions would be for the ancient double flowered forms of Paeonia officinalis which have a naturally sprawling habit. You will find in our peony list many very difficult to find species peonies that are all sold as mature plant divisions not small immature seedlings. As of April 12th P. lagodeciana and P. mlokosewitschii yellow are already sold out for 2008. Next available in 2010. If you wish to be on the waiting list in case any extras are available this fall please send us an e-mail to be on the waiting list. Thank You!

While we have a wide selection of species peonies the number of divisions is limited much more so than our other peonies which were bred to be more productive from a commercial stand point. That means there will never likely be an over supply of these plants and few nurseries will devote the extra years needed to produce good field size divisions. We hope you will explore the fascinating wild side of peonies by trying a few species in your garden. Happy Gardening! Harvey and Brigitte