Peony Season 2026
Tree peonies are typically the first to bloom, often opening in early to mid-May with their large, woody-stemmed flowers setting the stage for the season. Following them, the herbaceous peonies usually reach full splendor from late May through mid-June. Come back and follow along below to watch their journey unfold!
June 16, 2026
What was recently a sea of color has shifted into green foliage as the plants begin storing energy for next spring's display.
Thank you to everyone who visited the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden this season. We look forward to welcoming you back next year for another remarkable bloom.
June 10, 2026
The combination of heavy rain and high temperatures has accelerated the end of this year's peony display. While the front of the garden is now largely past bloom, visitors can still find some flowers in the back half of the garden. Many of the blooms left show signs of age and weathering, but the garden remains a peaceful place to stroll and enjoy the season's transition.
June 7, 2026
Weekend rain and wind knocked some petals from the garden’s flowers, but much of the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden remains colorful and beautiful. Large sections of the collection are still in bloom, although individual plants are beginning to fade as the season progresses.
We are now past peak bloom, but visitors will still find plenty to enjoy. Bloom timing and longevity depend heavily on weather conditions, and additional rain, wind, or heat could accelerate petal drop in the coming days.
June 5, 2026
Most of the garden is in bloom, with some early bloomers beginning to lose petals and a few late bloomers still waiting to open.
The garden looks beautiful, and today is a great day to visit. We’ll be watching to see what tonight’s projected storms bring. Heavy rain or wind may knock some petals off.
Photos: Minica Tan
June 2, 2026
The W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden is putting on one of its most spectacular displays in recent years.
According to our lead horticulturist, this year's cool April weather helped create a "super bloom." Thousands of flowers are now open, and conditions are excellent for a visit.
While the garden currently looks outstanding, we are beginning to see the first signs of petals dropping on some early-blooming varieties. Peak bloom can be fleeting, and its duration depends heavily on weather conditions. Strong winds or heavy rain could accelerate the decline of some flowers. Our advice: if you've been thinking about visiting, now is the time. We can't predict exactly how long peak bloom will last, but the garden is looking incredible right now.
May 30, 2026
We are at peak bloom! The W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden is looking incredible right now, and this is a great time to visit. Bloom timing is always weather-dependent, so we can’t predict exactly how long the peak will last, but next week’s forecast is looking very promising for the garden.
If you’ve been waiting to plan your visit, now’s the moment.
Photo: Michele Yanga
May 28, 2026
We are rapidly nearing peak bloom in the peony garden! At least half the garden is now in bloom, with more opening every day. This weekend will be a spectacular time to visit.
Expect huge flowers, incredible color, and that unmistakable peony fragrance drifting through the garden. Peak bloom only lasts a short time, and the display is changing quickly day by day.
Photos: Michele Yanga
May 26, 2026
With the recent sunshine and warm temperatures, the peonies are beginning to open quickly. We’re currently at about 20% bloom, with conditions expected to progress rapidly throughout the week. This coming weekend is shaping up to be a beautiful time to visit the garden.
May 21, 2026
The peonies are starting to pop open - each day, more and more start to bloom. We are at about 8% bloom, with lots of marshmallow buds that will likely open in the next few days. Peak bloom is still about a week or so away, but there are pockets of blooming peonies throughout the garden.
May 18, 2026
The tree peonies are at or slightly past their peak, with many large, beautiful blooms in the sides of the garden. A few have begun to lose petals, but there are still plenty to enjoy.
We’re currently at about 3% bloom of the herbaceous peonies, with many buds beginning to swell. The next few days will give us a better sense of when peak bloom will arrive — stay tuned!
Photos: Michele Yanga
May 11, 2026
About half of the tree peonies are now in bloom. As a group, they typically flower earlier than the larger herbaceous peony display. So far, only about 4–5 herbaceous plants are blooming, but many more buds are developing and getting ready to open with the warm weather ahead.
Photo: Michele Yanga
May 7, 2026
The tree peonies are beginning to open, and with the warm weekend ahead, we expect many more blooms to emerge over the next several days. A few herbaceous peonies have also started blooming, though most are still developing. It’s the beginning of a beautiful stretch in the garden, with more color arriving each day.
May 4, 2026
And just like that, the first bloom is open! ‘Alexander Woollcott’ in bed 23 jumped the line and kicked things off early. We’re still weeks away from peak herbaceous peony bloom, but it’s a clear signal that we’re on our way.
Tree peonies are starting to join in, too - Daphne, Green Dragon in a Pink Pool, and a few of the softer white and blush blooms are beginning to open, with more likely in the next day or two.
Photos: Michele Yanga
April 24, 2026
Last week’s frost didn’t slow the peonies down - every plant is up and growing fast. And now we’re seeing the first very tiny buds! A small but exciting sign of what’s on the way.
Tree peonies are already a step ahead (as usual), with larger buds formed and getting ready to put on the first show.
April 13, 2026
The peonies are steadily pushing up. Most are out of the ground now, with fresh leaves in shades of green. Still early, but you can see the garden starting to fill in.
Photos: Michele Yanga
March 10, 2026
And so it begins - It may not look like much, but these little red shoots are the start of Peony Season 2026!
Photo: Michele Yanga