Marketing and

Regulatory

Programs

Agricultural

Marketing 

Service

Specialty

Crops

Program

Specialty

Crops

Inspection

Division

United States Standards

for Grades of Cut 

Peonies in the Bud

Effective September 6, 2016
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Cut Peonies in the Bud

(81 FR 51297) supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect since 

April 1, 1938.

Voluntary U.S. grade standards are issued under the authority of the Agricultural 

Marketing Act of 1946, which provides for the development of official U.S. grades to 

designate different levels of quality. These grade standards are available for use by 

producers, suppliers, buyers, and consumers. As in the case of other standards for 

grades of fresh and processed fruits, vegetables, and specialty crops these 

standards are designed to facilitate orderly marketing by providing a convenient 

basis for buying and selling, for establishing quality control programs, and for 

determining loan values.

The U.S. grade standards and inspection instructions for all fresh and processed fruits,

vegetables, and specialty crops are available on the internet and upon request at the 

address below. These documents provide detailed interpretations of the grade standards 

and provide step-by-step procedures for grading the product.

Grade standards are issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) after careful 

consideration of all data and views submitted during rulemaking. The Department 

welcomes suggestions for improving the standards in future revisions. Comments may be 

submitted to, and copies of standards and inspection instructions obtained from:

Director, Specialty Crops Inspection Division

Specialty Crops Program,

USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service

1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 0240

Washington, D.C. 20250

__________________________________________________________________________

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

Note: Compliance with the provisions of these standards shall not excuse failure to 

comply with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or 

with applicable State laws and regulations.

Non-Discrimination Policy: In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights 

regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA 

programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender 

expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, 

political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all 

bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, 

American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) 

or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in 

languages other than English. 

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at 

http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter 

all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form 

or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence 

Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal 

opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
United States Standards for Grades of Cut Peonies in the Bud (September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Commodity Cut Peonies in the Bud

Section Page No.

Grades............................................................................................................................ 2

§51.4475 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 2

§51.4476 U.S. No. 2.................................................................................................... 2

Reserved........................................................................................................................ 3

§51.4477 Reserved. .................................................................................................... 3

Application of Tolerances ............................................................................................ 3

§51.4478 Application of tolerances.............................................................................. 3

Standards for Bunching ............................................................................................... 3

§51.4479 Standards for bunching................................................................................ 3

Definitions...................................................................................................................... 4

§51.4480 Similar varietal characteristics. .................................................................... 4

§51.4481 Fresh. .......................................................................................................... 4

§51.4482 Strong.......................................................................................................... 4

§51.4483 Well trimmed................................................................................................ 4

§51.4484 Fairly well trimmed....................................................................................... 4

§51.4485 Stems. ......................................................................................................... 4

§51.4486 Fairly straight. .............................................................................................. 4

§51.4487 Well shaped................................................................................................. 4

§51.4488 Firm. ............................................................................................................ 4

§51.4489 Normally expanded...................................................................................... 5

§51.4490 Overmature.................................................................................................. 5

§51.4491 Puff ball........................................................................................................ 5

§51.4492 Bull head or hard head. ............................................................................... 5

§51.4493 Wood head. ................................................................................................. 5

§51.4494 Damage....................................................................................................... 5

§51.4495 Diameter...................................................................................................... 5

§51.4496 Serious damage. ......................................................................................... 5
United States Standards for Grades of Cut Peonies in the Bud (September 6, 2016)

2

Grades

§51.4475 U.S. No. 1.

“U.S. No. 1” consists of peonies of similar varietal characteristics which have fresh, 

strong, well trimmed, and unbroken stems which are fairly straight. The buds shall be 

well shaped, fresh, firm with calyxes normally expanded but not overmature; free from 

puff balls, bull heads, and wood heads. The buds and stems shall be free from decay 

and freezing injury and from damage caused by dirt or other foreign material, 

discoloration, moisture, disease, insects, mechanical or other means.

(a) Each bud shall be not less than 1 inch in diameter and, unless otherwise 

specified, the overall length of bud and stem shall be not less than 24 inches, but 

in no case shall the overall length be less than 20 inches.

(b) Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and 

handling, the following tolerances, by count, are provided as specified;

(1) For defects. Five percent for peonies in any lot which fail to meet the 

requirements of this grade, including therein not more than one-half of 1 

percent for peonies which are affected by decay.

(2) For size. Ten percent for peonies in any lot which fail to meet the 

specified size requirements, including therein not more than 5 percent for 

buds which fail to meet the specified minimum diameter.

§51.4476 U.S. No. 2.

“U.S. No. 2” consists of peonies of similar varietal characteristics, which have fresh, 

fairly well trimmed, and unbroken stems which are not badly curved or crooked. The 

buds shall be fresh, firm with calyxes normally expanded but not overmature; free from 

puff balls, bull heads, and wood heads. The buds and stems shall be free from decay 

and from damage caused by freezing, and from serious damage caused by dirt or other 

foreign material, discoloration, moisture, disease, insects, mechanical or other means.

(a) Each bud shall be not less than 7/8 inch in diameter, and, unless otherwise 

specified, the overall length of bud and stem shall be not less than 20 inches but 

in no case shall the overall length be less than 18 inches.

(b) Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and 

handling, the following tolerances, by count, are provided as specified:

(1) For defects. Ten percent for peonies in any lot which fail to meet the 

requirements of this grade, including therein not more than 5 percent for 

defects causing serious damage, and including in this latter amount not 

more than 1 percent for peonies which are affected by decay.
United States Standards for Grades of Cut Peonies in the Bud (September 6, 2016)

3

(2) For size. Ten percent for peonies in any lot which fail to meet the 

specified size requirements, including therein not more than 5 percent for 

buds which fail to meet the specified minimum diameter.

Reserved

§51.4477 Reserved.

Application of Tolerances

§51.4478 Application of tolerances.

The contents of individual packages in the lot, based on sample inspection, are subject 

to the following limitations:

(a) For a tolerance of 10 percent or more, individual packages in any lot may contain 

not more than one and one-half times the tolerance specified, except that when 

the package contains 15 specimens or less, individual packages may contain not 

more than double the tolerance specified: Provided, That the average for the 

entire lot is within the tolerance specified for the grade.

(b) For a tolerance of less than 10 percent, individual packages in any lot may 

contain not more than double the tolerance specified except that at least one 

defective and one off-size specimen may be permitted in any package: 

Provided, That the average for the entire lot is within the tolerance specified for 

the grade.

Standards for Bunching

§51.4479 Standards for bunching.

(a) Cut peonies in the bud may be packed loose or bunched. When bunched, each 

bunch shall contain 12 peonies, having buds which are reasonably uniform in 

size and development and stems which are reasonably uniform in length. When 

bunched, the peonies shall be arranged so that the buds form a flat surface 

across the top of the bunch. Each bunch shall be held intact by two rubber

bands, one placed 5 - 6 inches below the base of the buds and the other 3 - 4 

inches from the base of the stems.

(1) It is recommended that a No. 30 rubber band doubled be used 3 - 4 

inches from the base of the stem and a No. 18 rubber band not doubled 

be used 5 - 6 inches from the base of the buds.

(b) In order to allow for variations incident to proper bunching not more than 5 

percent, by count, of the bunches in any container may fail to meet the 

requirements for bunching.
United States Standards for Grades of Cut Peonies in the Bud (September 6, 2016)

4

Definitions

§51.4480 Similar varietal characteristics.

“Similar varietal characteristics” means that the stems, foliage and buds of the 

peonies have the same general character of growth and color.

§51.4481 Fresh.

“Fresh” means that the buds and foliage are bright, not badly wilted, limp, or flabby.

§51.4482 Strong.

“Strong” means that the stem is fairly stiff and sturdy enough to hold the bud in a 

reasonably erect position.

§51.4483 Well trimmed.

“Well trimmed” means that all lateral or side buds, and all foliage on the lowest 6 to 8 

inches of the stem, have been neatly removed but the foliage on the remainder of the 

stem has not been removed to the extent that the appearance of the peony is damaged.

§51.4484 Fairly well trimmed.

“Fairly well trimmed” means that all the lateral or side buds, and all the foliage on the 

lowest 6 to 8 inches of the stem, has been neatly removed but the foliage on the 

remainder of the stem has not been removed to the extent that the appearance of the 

peony is seriously damaged.

§51.4485 Stems.

“Stems” means the flower stalks with the attached foliage.

§51.4486 Fairly straight.

“Fairly straight” means that the stem is of normal growth and is not more than slightly 

curved or crooked.

§51.4487 Well shaped.

“Well shaped” means that the bud is symmetrical, not lopsided or otherwise deformed.

§51.4488 Firm.

“Firm” means that the bud is fairly compact and yields slightly to moderate pressure of 

the fingers.
United States Standards for Grades of Cut Peonies in the Bud (September 6, 2016)

5

§51.4489 Normally expanded.

“Normally” expanded means that the calyxes have expanded to the extent that the true 

color of the outer petals is exposed. At this stage of development the two large calyxes 

and the outer petals at the top of the bud have developed to the extent that they will 

yield to slight pressure of the fingers.

§51.4490 Overmature.

“Overmature” means that the bud is soft and the outer petals have started to unfold.

§51.4491 Puff ball.

“Puff ball” means a bud of poor substance which usually expands prematurely. The 

bud is usually long, soft on one side and feels soft to very soft in comparison with a 

normal bud of the same variety.

§51.4492 Bull head or hard head.

“Bull head or hard head” means a bud which is hard to very hard and which will not 

open or expand.

§51.4493 Wood head.

“Wood head” means a bud which is hard, usually flat, with the petals separated at the 

top and forming a small opening through which the interior of the bud can be seen.

§51.4494 Damage.

“Damage” means any defect, or any combination of defects, which materially detracts 

from the appearance or marketing quality of the cut peonies. Inconspicuous 

anthracnose spots shall not be considered as damage.

§51.4495 Diameter.

“Diameter” means the greatest diameter measured through the center of the bud at 

right angles to a line running from the base to the top of the bud.

§51.4496 Serious damage.

“Serious damage” means any defect, or any combination of defects which seriously 

detracts from the appearance or marketing quality of the cut peonies.