May 15, 2025, 9:15 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Peonies make their appearance in our gardens during May and June with nearly unmatched beautiful blooms. myHOMEBOOK explains why some varieties even change their flower color.
Despite its name, the peony is not actually a rose. It belongs to the buttercup family. In terms of floral splendor, however, it rivals roses. Some even consider the peony the true queen of flowers. The fact that some peony species can change color during their blooming period likely reinforces this opinion. But why do some peonies change color during bloom?
Overview
Peonies that Change Color During Bloom
Paeonia, as peonies are known in botany, are already an impressive sight during their blooming period. Some flower heads can become so large and heavy that the stems bend under the weight. At that point, it’s time to bring the floral splendor indoors as cut flowers.
But even in May and June, the market offers a variety of peonies. Those who inquire about specific varieties will witness a colorful surprise as the individual flowers bloom. The following peony varieties change color during their bloom:
Coral Charm
The semi-double petals start their career as floral stars in a vibrant apricot. They then transition to a lovely salmon pink. Before the bloom fades, it finally appears cream-colored.
Coral Sunset
Similar to Coral Charm, Coral Sunset impresses with three different color stages: Initially, it appears in a bright pink, then changes to salmon pink, and finally to cream.
Do Tell
This variety begins its bloom in a bright pink and changes to a pale pink over the course of the blooming period. Eventually, the peony bloom can even glow yellowish.
Why Do Some Peonies Change Color During Bloom?
The enchanting color play of some peonies is due to various environmental factors and the genes of the respective varieties. Here is an overview of the reasons:
- Age: The older a peony bloom gets, the more pigments are lost during the blooming period. Essentially, the color gradually washes out. Similar effects can sometimes be observed in roses or hydrangeas during their blooming period.
- UV Radiation: It’s known from the sunlight trick to remove tomato or carrot stains from clothing. UV radiation can destroy these dyes, and the stain disappears. Similarly, direct sunlight can lead to color loss in peonies during the blooming period. Blooms with intense red tones lose their color particularly quickly in sunlight.
- Temperature: If the nights in May are still cold, the colors of the peonies can appear more intense, as this can stimulate pigment formation. Warm days, on the other hand, can lead to faster fading of the color.
- Genetics: “Coral Sunset,” “Do Tell,” and other special varieties are bred for color change. Here, changes in flower color will almost always be visible, relatively independent of environmental factors.
- pH Value and Nutrients: A slightly acidic soil is ideal for peonies. Then they show their full color spectrum. A different pH value can negatively affect pigment formation. A low nutrient content also results in smaller, less colorful blooms.
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The Perfect Time to Cut for Long-lasting Color in the Vase
Those who have peonies in the garden often want to display them in a vase indoors. To enjoy the blooms for as long as possible and to achieve optimal color results, the timing of the cut is crucial:
The blooms should not yet be open, but also not too hard. The ideal consistency is like a soft marshmallow. If the bloom is already fully open, it will only last two to three days indoors. Hard flower buds, on the other hand, might not open at all. When in doubt, it’s better to wait an extra day or two before cutting.