The Peony Society was established in 2000 to promote peonies as garden plants and to bring together people who shared a passion for these plants. It was obvious at the time that there was considerable interest in peonies, not just in the United Kingdom, but also around the world. The society started out life as the British Peony Society, but a decision was taken at the first AGM to change the name to the Peony Society.

Everyone is invited to join the Peony Society. Enthusiastic gardeners, professional horticulturalists, botanists and nursery owners will all gain from being members, because they share a love of these beautiful flowers.

Peonies were extremely popular in Victorian and Edwardian Britain, but they fell out of popularity between the two World Wars. However, interest remained strong in the United States and many new varieties were bred during the period from 1930 to 1950. Most British gardeners are unaware of how diverse the peonies are. The flowers of herbaceous peonies can be red, pink or white and every shade in between. There are also hybrid peonies with yellow, lavender and orange flowers. There are approximately fifty species, more than 5,000 herbaceous cultivars and hybrids and in the region of 600 or more tree peonies. To this can be added thousands of other plants that have never been marketed or registered.

Interest in peonies started to increase at the end of the 20th century and several new books have been published during the past few years. This increased interest has led to a peony garden being established at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Membership of the society brings a number of benefits:

• The ability to talk and swap infromation with other peony enthusiasts
• Four copies every year of our magazine, "The Peony"
• Access to Society meetinga and Symposia
• Attendance at training days
• A vote at the Annual General meeting where our Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer are elected

Go to our membership page for details of how to join the society.