Peony stems pushing out of cold spring ground, then fat buds opening in late spring, are a Massachusetts yard ritual that repeats year after year. Massachusetts winters provide the cold rest peonies need to flower. The choice comes down to which type fits your space, your patience and your winter.
Best Peonies to Grow in Massachusetts
Garden peonies, tree peonies and intersectional (Itoh) hybrids suit Massachusetts because they receive the winter cold they need to flower. The USDA hardiness zone range here runs from 5a to 7b and describes average annual extreme winter lows. The woodland peony is also grown in home landscapes.
Garden Peony
The garden, or herbaceous, peony (Paeonia hybrids) is the classic border plant. It dies back every year, so cut the foliage to the ground after it has died back, in November or December. Early spring, in March or April, works as well.
Plant it in late August through September, keeping the eyes near the soil surface. Set too deep, it may bloom poorly or not come up at all.
Tree Peony
The woody tree peony (including Paeonia suffruticosa) keeps its stems through winter, so it is never cut back to the ground. It flowers in late spring, ahead of the garden types.
Give it the same early fall planting window as the others, and expect it to settle in before it blooms well.
Intersectional Peony
The intersectional peony, also called Itoh, is a hybrid of the garden and tree peonies. It tends to close out the peony season, flowering after the herbaceous types have finished.
That June bloom makes it a good partner for an early garden peony.
Woodland Peony
The woodland peony (Paeonia japonica) is a white-flowered type that opens first, ahead of the tree peonies. It suits a gardener who wants the season to start early.
Like every peony, a newly planted or transplanted one may not bloom the first spring, so patience matters here.
Massachusetts — the year and the numbers
- State
- Massachusetts
- USDA zones
- 5a-7b
- Last spring frost
- April 1 to April 8
- First fall frost
- November 3 to November 14
- Annual rain
- 44 in
- Lawn zone
- cool-season
- Source
- NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 Climate Normals, 32F freeze probabilities · Boston
How to Choose a Peony for a Massachusetts Garden
Match the plant to your yard and your habits. Bloom across the state falls in May and June, and the type you pick decides where in that stretch your flowers land.
Planting is best in August and September, and it can also be done in October. Spring planting is possible but may delay flowers a year.
| Your situation | What suits it in Massachusetts | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Very cold winter | Garden peony | It dies back each year and returns from buried eyes, and it gets the chill it needs. |
| Later flowers | Intersectional peony | It is a hybrid of the garden and tree types and flowers after the herbaceous peonies. |
| Woody stems through winter | Tree peony | It keeps its woody stems and is never cut back. |
| Wanting a long show | Woodland, tree, garden and Itoh together | Their bloom times follow one another through late spring into June. |
| Need for winter cold | Any listed peony type | Peonies need a cold winter rest, and Massachusetts winters generally provide it. |
For a small space, start with a tree peony or a garden peony.
Which Peonies Suit Different Parts of Massachusetts
Winter cold and spring timing vary from coast to hills, even though the peony types above can grow across the state.
- The Berkshires: Winters here are colder and frost lingers later in spring, so garden peonies get their chill easily. Expect buds to open a little later than in the east.
- Inland suburbs: Frost comes earlier in fall and leaves later in spring than at the coast. Garden and tree peonies can grow here.
- Boston and the coast: The waterfront is milder than inland areas, with the last spring frost around April 1 to April 8. Peonies still get their cold rest along the coast.
Wherever you garden, the planting months stay the same: late summer into early fall.
Peony Buying Mistakes to Avoid in Massachusetts
Planting Too Deep
A potted peony set too deep may bloom poorly or not come up at all. That can mean waiting for flowers. Keep the eyes near the soil surface when you plant.
Expecting Flowers Right Away
A newly planted or transplanted peony may not bloom the first spring. A peony planted in spring may not flower right away. Plant in late August or September so the roots settle first.
Cutting the Wrong Peony Back
A herbaceous peony is cut back after frost, but a tree peony keeps its woody stems and should never be cut to the ground. Check which type you bought before you pick up the shears. If you grow garden and tree peonies, prune only the garden peony in November or December.
Where to Get Peony Advice in Massachusetts
Local help can settle questions about your soil and your site. Local sources can help.
- UMass Extension offers plant guides and diagnostic help, which is useful before you choose a type in late summer.
- Your county extension office can answer site questions, so call it ahead of planting time in August or September.
Common Questions
Can You Divide a Peony in Spring in Massachusetts?
Dividing is best in August and September, and October also works. Spring is possible but may delay flowers a year.
When Do Peonies Bloom in Massachusetts?
Peonies bloom in May and June, with the exact timing depending on the type.
Do Peonies Need to Be Cut Back Every Year?
Only herbaceous peonies do. Cut them back in November or December, or in March or April, and leave tree peonies alone.