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Herbaceous peonies, bred in New Zealand.

Paul and Esther Simmons have grown peonies in Christchurch since 1986, both cutting flowers and running a general peony nursery. However, in their retirement, they are only selling some of the peonies which Paul has bred over the past 24 years and recently began to release. Now, with only small numbers available, these plants are being sold overseas: to peony breeders, garden nurseries and collectors.

See the varieties How ordering works

We soon plan to have some new varieties to offer for our next New Zealand autumn.

Heaven's Joy, a peach beige, pink undertones peony in full flower
Heaven's Joy, a 2026 variety

Plan a season of flowers

Paul times every variety against Red Charm, the classic mid-season hybrid. Choose across the columns and your peonies open one after another, from the earliest to the very late.

Filter by colour, height and timing

  1. Earliest

  2. With Red Charm

    Red Charm, the classic mid-season hybrid

  3. About a week after

  4. About 2 weeks after

  5. About 3 weeks after

  6. 4 weeks and later

Flowering times are approximate. They can vary from year to year, and with the climate and location where the peonies are grown.

Christmas Joy, a bright red double peony

From our field to yours

At least three buds
Every root we send has a minimum of three buds.
Sent in April and May
Roots are dug in the autumn and sent bare-root overseas.
Overseas orders
We've sent roots to the USA, Canada and across Europe. The phytosanitary certificate and inspection are charged at cost.
Ordering
Paul and Esther Simmons among their peonies

Paul and Esther Simmons

We are heading for retirement but plan to offer a few new varieties in 2027 in the new year.