In Massachusetts, the peony season stretches beautifully from late May through mid-to-late June. While early and mid-season varieties put on a grand show, late-blooming peonies are the final encore — offering rich, luxurious blooms just as the season winds down.
These varieties typically bloom around mid-June in USDA Zones 5–6, making them ideal for New England gardeners who want to extend their peony display as long as possible.
🌸 Popular Late-Blooming Peonies (Mid-June in Massachusetts)
‘Sarah Bernhardt’
- Possibly the most famous peony.
- Large, fully double pale pink flowers with ruffled petals.
- Extremely fragrant and long-lasting.
‘Karl Rosenfield’
- Bright crimson-red double blooms.
- Bold color and strong stems.
- A classic late-season favorite.
‘Kansas’
- Vibrant cherry-red, semi-double to double blooms.
- Showy, reliable, and a strong grower.
‘Big Ben’
- Rich rosy-red flowers with a spicy fragrance.
- Tall and excellent for cutting.
‘Miss America’
- Semi-double white flowers with a golden center.
- Opens from soft pink buds; very elegant and slightly earlier in late-blooming range.
‘Charles White’
- Creamy white double bloom with delicate pink tones.
- Fragrant and slow to open — worth the wait.
‘Solange’
- Blush-pink to ivory tones as it matures.
- Fully double with a romantic, vintage look.
These cultivars open just as early varieties start fading, making them ideal for gardeners looking to stretch their bloom window through the end of spring into early summer.
