Dutch Peonies: Season, Varieties and Handling

The season

Dutch outdoor peonies run roughly from late April through June, with greenhouse production starting earlier. Around that Dutch window, growers in other climates extend availability, but the peak quality and choice is clearly in the Dutch spring and early summer.

Varieties worth knowing

Sarah Bernhardt is the classic soft pink and the workhorse of wedding season. Red Charm and Karl Rosenfield cover deep reds; Duchesse de Nemours and Shirley Temple carry the whites and creams; Coral Charm shifts colour dramatically as it opens, which clients either love or need warning about.

• Sarah Bernhardt — soft pink, huge double bloom
• Duchesse de Nemours — creamy white, fragrant
• Coral Charm — coral opening to peach and cream
• Red Charm — deep red, dense bomb form

Buying stage and opening

Peonies are cut in bud, at the stage where the bud feels like a soft marshmallow. Too tight and they may never open; too soft and they arrive fully blown. For a Saturday event, take delivery two to three days ahead and open them in a warm room with fresh water — warmth speeds opening, cold holds them back.

Ordering peonies for Riyadh

Because peonies are seasonal and demand-driven, they sell out. Book them in advance for weddings rather than hoping they are on the clock that morning.

Web-Flora supplies florists, wedding and event professionals, hotels and premium retailers in Saudi Arabia with fresh Dutch flowers. Minimum order is 2 boxes (around €600), shipments leave the Netherlands weekly, and Ahmed Frindi is your direct personal contact.

Frequently asked questions

When are Dutch peonies in season?

Broadly late April to June for Dutch production, with earlier greenhouse availability.

How do I make peonies open faster?

Put them in warm water in a warm room; to slow them down, keep them cool and dry.

How long do peonies last?

About 5–8 days depending on the stage at which they were cut and how they are handled.