Q.PEONEYS NOT FRAGRANT
What can I do to get them to be fragrant? My grandmothers were so fragrant!
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Many modern varieties have been bred more for size, color, or form than fragrance, and sadly, that old intoxicating perfume can be lost in the process.
If your peonies aren’t fragrant, it’s most likely due to the specific variety, and no amount of feeding or pruning can bring back a scent that isn’t in their genetics. What you can do, though, is make plans to add heirloom or highly fragrant cultivars next season — varieties like Festiva Maxima, Sarah Bernhardt, or Duchesse de Nemours are renowned for their scent and look nearly identical to many modern hybrids.
In the meantime, keep your current peonies healthy — well-drained soil, full sun, and a low-nitrogen bloom booster in early spring can enhance their overall vitality. But for that sweet, familiar fragrance? That might just mean making space for a few of the old souls next spring.
