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 caucasica  (wild species) We grew these from wild collected seed from Soviet Georgia and the plants have some of the most beautiful emerging foliage followed by extremely early blooms even before the fern-leaf peony which most people think of as the first peony to bloom. Often the flower buds can have snow on them because they emerge so early in the season. We grow them from several different localities and keep them separate for propagation purposes. Not huge plants they grow to about 24” tall and slightly wider. $24.99 [Add to Cart]

Paeonia lactiflora wild pink  (wild species) This species was grown from wild collected seed from Siberia. The flower color of this wild peony species is pink and has up to 6 flowers per stem. More delicate looking than the single flowered cultivated forms. The seed it is about half the size of the garden varieties and more black than brown. It is nearly impossible to get the real wild ancestor of almost all of our garden peonies. Of most interest to those who wish wild genes for breeding or those interested in preserving our wild gene pool for future generations. $26.99 [Add to Cart]

Paeonia lactiflora wild white   (wild species) This species was grown from wild collected seed from Siberia. The flower color of this wild peony species is white and has up to 4 flowers per stem. More delicate looking than the single flowered cultivated forms. The seed it is about half the size of the garden varieties and more black than brown. It is nearly impossible to get the real wild ancestor of almost all of our garden peonies. Of most interest to those who wish wild genes for breeding or those interested in preserving our wild gene pool for future generations. $26.99 [Add to Cart]

Paeonia mascula triternata wild  (wild species) This is the large rounded wavy leaved form of mascula. Just as fertile and he emerging foliage is very attractive. Must have full sun and well drained soil location. Some of these species do not do well in clay soils that waterlog in the spring or where snow cover is blown off in the winter otherwise quite winter hardy. Limited supply of mature divisions, we do not sell seedlings. $26.99 [Add to Cart]

Paeonia mascula wild  (wild species) This species has a number of sub-species with variable foliage forms from broad rounded wavy leaves to those that are more narrow looking. All possess rosy-pink 5” blooms on plants 24” tall. This species was also common in Monastic herbal gardens. Early to bloom it has delightful gold fall foliage. All require excellent drainage and full sun to perform well. Quite fertile it can produce a lot of seed and will hybridize with other tetraploid peonies. $26.99 [Add to Cart]

Paeonia mlokosewitschii pink form  (wild species) This was also grown from collected seed. Botanists have determined that the yellow and pink forms of this species grow side by side in the wild. And although they have now lumped them all together as one species with caucasica it has a different plant habit and emerges exactly at the same time as it’s yellow flowered counterpart and not with the ones we sell as P. caucasica which are from a different part of Soviet Georgia. These are mature divisions we sell. The seedlings produced from these plants have consistently been pink flowered and when a purposful crossing was made with the yellow form some very attractive muticolored blooms have resulted like the P. lagodechiana supporting the theory that P.lagodechiana are natural hybrids between these two forms. Good seed production on these plants also. Plant in full sun in well drained soil. $28.99 [Add to Cart]

Paeonia mollis  (garden hybrids of the species) Not only is the early soft pink flower of this species beautiful but the blue green foliage can be enjoyed during the entire garden season. Small 12 - 14” plant habit. Some list it as a selection of Paeonia villosa and despite what some books say it can produce seed and seedlings are sometimes found alongside it in the garden. Our original seed came from France and has produced a group of seedlings exhibiting a range of habits, mostly small growing with the blue green leaves and always somewhat short. Unfortunately when the plants were moved from our original nursery the seedlings and parents were mixed and if you order more than one you will likely get several forms. Not really a problem as they are all charming garden subjects and many people who visited when these peony plants were in bloom ofen asked for some of the seedlings for the variety of leaf and plant shapes. $24.99 [Add to Cart]

Paeonia officinalis banatica  (wild species) This one comes from wild collected seed in Romania, but although I keep it separate it looks very much like some of the related officinalis. Again for those who are looking for wild genes this is a good choice. Very Limited supply. Sorry we won't have a picture until later this peony season. $28.99 [Add to Cart]

Paeonia officinalis Mt. Baldo  (wild species) Our original 3 plants were grown from seed that came from Mt. Baldo in Italy. 24” tall very early bloom rosy pink. While we still have the original plant it’s offspring have often superceded it in brilliance of flower color. The habit of the plants are superb and are well adapted to dry well drained sites in full sun. These will be divisions from the original 3 plants grown from wild seed. As our seed divisions grow large enough we will offer some of the select ones also. Very fertile and rewarding for those wishing to try growing peonies from seed. $24.99 [Add to Cart]

Paeonia officinalis rosea plena  (ancient cultivated species) The pink form of the original double flowered Memorial Day peony has exceptional color and form on compact plants. Found throughout Europe in the wake of old monasteries where they were cultivated in medicinal gardens for centuries this species still adorns our gardens today. $22.99 [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