Asking gardeners what are the most fragrant peonies will leave them wondering how to give you a short list. Some peonies have little fragrance, the occasional one might have a disagreeable scent, but most of the thousands of varieties would knock you down with sweetness if gathered together. A peony festival is a feast for the nose, the eyes, the heart and the soul!

In the last century, peonies were used a great deal in perfume making and peonies remain one of the few reliable sources of fragrance today, although such "recipes" are trade secrets. The peony, Mme. De Vernville, is said to be rose scented, though no one has asked the peony's opinion of that report. Others are thought to smell like honey.

Judging by catalog listings, the most fragrant peonies seem to fall into the pink or white categories. An exception is the double red Karl Rosenfield. The white Festiva Maxima double peony and the pink Sarah Bernhardt double peony are given many votes as the most fragrant peonies. The white Duchesse de Nemours gives off a strong fragrance, presumably pleasant, for it is mentioned often.

Tree Peonies May Also Be Included in the Most Fragrant Peonies

Most tree peonies have a fragrance, either light or strong. It's interesting that the sweeter fragrances seem to accompany or emanate from the tree peonies that have the lighter colors: lavender, light pink, white or yellow. Nature has correlated the darker blooms of the tree peonies, such as maroon, purple, and some of the reds, with giving off stronger scents.