Peony breeding
Developing new peony varieties
We develop new and innovative peony varieties with the future of cut flower production in mind. In our breeding programme, we focus on characteristics that are important to both growers and consumers.
Characteristics of peonies as cut flowers
Breeding peonies is a careful and long-term process. We use strict selection criteria and assess new varieties based on characteristics including:
- Prolific flowering
- Strong stems
- Good bud presentation
- Unique colours and flower shapes
- Flower fullness
- Good vase life
- Good opening in the vase
- Healthy cuttings
- Good growth and division of the cuttings
Our approach
We make an initial selection after the sixth growing year, based on these cut flower characteristics. The selected plants are propagated and then grown on for three years. A second round of selection follows.
The best and most promising cuttings are then included in our two-year cutting production. A small proportion is tested and evaluated over a longer period in our cut flower trials. This allows us to assess how the plants develop over several years and which varieties are most suitable for producing beautiful, strong cut flowers.
Would you like to know more about our peony breeding programme? Please get in touch with us.
