Color can range from a light mint green to dark olive and deep, glossy green. Foliage is unique to each individual plant. During spring, some may emerge a pale green, while others emerge red or a deep burgundy. They all gradually turn green as they mature, but some retain the coloration in the stems for some time. In the fall, some will turn color, adding to their interest.
Foliage shape can vary from almost fern-like to the more familiar, broadly oblong.
There are early, mid-season and late blooms of all flower types, so the season can be prolonged by careful selection. Making a decision whether to disbud also affects the length of show. Leave all the buds on to mature and while the flowers progressively become smaller, there are more over a longer period of time. Healthy Peonies can outlive human beings and sulk with frequent disturbance. Choose your planting site carefully, with the future in mind.