Peony

Peonies are among the most beautiful plants we can grow in our gardens, be they the elegant single flowered wild species, the sumptuous doubles of our June herbaceous borders, or the tree peonies celebrated in Chinese art over the centuries.   The HPS Peony Group is a specialist group of the Hardy Plant Society formed in 1987; it exists to stimulate more informed interest in growing all types of peonies and to bring together enthusiasts worldwide.

Members have a wide range of interests from species in their wild habitats, through herbaceous cultivars, modern and historic, to tree peonies. They range in expertise from beginners to long established experts. The Group is a good way for people to build their knowledge in a friendly environment. A newsletter is posted to members in Spring and Autumn. This keeps us up to date with recent developments in the ‘peony world’. Articles are very wide-ranging including trips made to other countries looking at peonies, nurseries and gardens, news on peony collections, updates on peony research, practical advice on sowing, growing, and flowering peonies, and help with identification.
The autumn newsletter carries a list of seeds donated by members for the seed exchange. This is currently only accessible to members within the United Kingdom.

We have members around the UK and overseas. The Peony Group AGM and Peony Day is held in different locations around Great Britain each year to try to make it accessible to as many members as possible. We combine the necessary business of the AGM with talks on peonies and visits to see peonies in flower to make a really enjoyable day. The members’ plant sales table is always a great draw having not just peonies, some of them not available commercially but many other lovely plants too.

Activities

Seed Exchange

The Peony Group operates an annual seed exchange, whereby members donate surplus seeds, both species and cultivars; ‘tree’ and herbaceous. A nominal fee is charged for administration. Members often report back with interesting articles and photographs in the newsletter with news of their successes.

Membership

Subscription

UK: £5.00, two people at the same address: £6.00
Overseas: £6.50 (payable in conjunction with the annual HPS subscription)

Join this group online by visiting our Shop.

A subscription form is available to download here. peony-group-membership-form

For more information about the HPS Peony Group, please contact Caroline Stone on 01566 785706 or email [email protected]

Membership is open to all members of The Hardy Plant Society.

Peony Group AGM & Peony Day Saturday 1th June 2026

Will be held at North Petherwin Parish Hall, North Petherwin, Launceston, Cornwall PL15 8LR and afterwards at The Glebe, North Petherwin, PL15 8LR

The AGM will start at 10.30am and will be brief. Following the AGM Caroline will talk about creating the National Collection of herbaceous peonies bred by Kelways & Son: how she tracked varieties down and the research to verify the varieties and their correct naming. She will also give a short talk about the garden at The Glebe and the collection of pre-WW1 herbaceous peonies and the other peonies to be found in the garden. After lunch we will walk down to the garden for our visit.
There will be the Peony Group plants sales table as usual; please bring plants for sale. Also, this year in the hall, local nursery Penny’s Primulas, the National Collection Holder of Primula sieboldii (Japanese cultivars) and National Collection holder for Epimediums will bring plants to sell. They also stock a range of hardy Ferns. Penny will bring pre-ordered plants for collection; please see her website www.pennysprimulas.co.uk
North Petherwin is six miles from the nearest shop of any sort. Please bring your own lunch or if you would like a Cornish pasty to be ready for you at the hall please add £6 per pasty to your booking fee. These will be medium sized pasties from Rowe’s Bakery (medium is quite large). Vegetarian options are available.
There will be tea and coffee available on arrival at the hall and tea and cake in the garden in the afternoon.

Details:
£11.00 for HPS Peony Group members, £16.00 for HPS members and £18.00 for non-HPS members.
Doors open at 10.00 am, with the AGM starting at 10.30 am.. If you have any questions email Caroline at [email protected] or ring 01566 785706

Please send your booking fee and pasty money (if a pasty is wanted) directly to the HPS Peony Society bank account: Sort code: 30-92-06, Account No:00097592. Add AGM and your surname as a reference. If you need to pay by cheque please send that directly to Toby, our treasurer, at the address on the inside back cover and let Caroline know that you have done so. Please also email Caroline ([email protected]) telling her who will be attending and if a pasty is required.  
When your booking is confirmed you will be sent confirmation with details about parking on the day, etc.