Kansas Peony

Paeonia lactiflora 'Kansas'

Nature Hills Nursery

Award-Winning Kansas Peony Delivers Unfading Carmine-Red Double Blooms with Intoxicating Fragrance and Iron-strong Stems.
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-8
Grows 2-3 ft Tall and Wide
Showy Red Blooms in Late Spring
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant

$74⁶⁰

Shipping calculated at checkout.

In Stock

Enter your ZIP code to check shipping availability.

Plant Size

#2 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant your Kansas Peony in a spot that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily. While it can tolerate some afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates, too much shade will lead to fewer flowers and weaker stems.
Soil: These plants thrive in rich, well-drained soil with a neutral pH. If you have heavy clay that holds too much water, mix in organic compost or fine grit to improve drainage and prevent the roots from rotting.

Watering Requirements

For the first two years, water your peony deeply once a week to help it develop its deep, extensive root system. Once the plant is mature, it becomes quite drought-tolerant, though it still performs best with about an inch of water per week during the summer. If watering is inconsistent during the budding stage, the plant may suffer from "bud blast," where the flowers fail to open or stay much smaller than usual.

Pruning Tips

Kansas Peonies are herbaceous, meaning they grow entirely new stems from the ground every spring rather than growing on old wood. In late fall after the first hard frost has turned the foliage brown, cut all the stems down to about an inch above the soil level. This serves as a vital clean-up that removes any lingering fungal spores or pests, ensuring the plant has a fresh, healthy start the following year.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer in early spring when the new red shoots are about 3 inches tall. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall. Extra nitrogen late in the season forces the plant to produce soft, lush foliage that is highly susceptible to powdery mildew and easily damaged by early winter frosts.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Flowering, Fragrant, Deer-resistant, Drought resistant, Attracts pollinators
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	2-3 ft
Width	2-3 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Peaty
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Compact
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	Red
Foliage Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Pet Safety	Toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Peony
Botanical Name	Paeonia lactiflora 'Kansas'
Species	lactiflora
Cultivar	Kansas
Class	Saxifragales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

The Kansas Peony - Deep Colors and Magical Fragrance!

Bright Carmine-Red Flowers
Amazing Double Blooms
Oh So Fragrant!
Non-Fading Bold Color
Award-Winning Peony
Beautiful Glossy-Green Foliage
Pollinator Heaven
Arrangements & Bouquets
Extremely Strong Stems
Deer Avoid Peony
Cold Hardy

Definitely not just for Kansas anymore Toto!

The Kansas Peony (Paeonia lactiflora 'Kansas'), drops onto the late-spring garden scene with those unmistakable, double, carmine-red flowers that just won't shrink or fade in the early summer sun!

Kansas Peony is a Gold Medal Winner from the American Peony Society so you know your in for a treat!

The double red blooms are borne on extremely strong stems, so Kansas will require little staking in the rain and storms. These stems also make Kansas Peony an exceptional cut flower! With regards to beauty and fragrance, Kansas is also a long-lasting cut flower for your bouquets! Just a few will perfume your dining table.

Peony flowers are sure to make a statement in the garden and in the vase arrangement alike!

Kansas blooms in mid to late spring and has very large, colorful blooms that stand out in the garden. And with these lovely blossoms come the droves of bees and butterflies! Deer often leave these lovely perennials alone.

The foliage of these herbaceous Peony grows in a lush, bushy mound, and Kansas really shines above the glossy, dark green leaves. Long after the flowers do at last give in to the summer sun, the foliage remains attractive throughout the summer and becomes the perfect backdrop and filler among your other summer blooms.

How to Use Kansas Peony In The Landscape

Peony has been a favorite among gardeners for many years! Peonies are one of the best cut flowers and are often used in the Midwest to decorate gravesites on Memorial Day. Plus one plant will be around for upwards of 50 years! If they're around for that long, you can be sure this is one strong, dependable plant!

Often thought of as a plant used on the farm or out in the country, Kansas brings a little bit of that country feeling to your garden! Although considered old-fashioned, Kansas Peony is anything but!

It is not uncommon to see Peonies planted along the driveway or lane in mass and long rows to best display their brilliance! Imagine a mass planting of these red beauties that won't put you to sleep!

Kansas Peony looks gorgeous when planted along a fence or popping up among your garden beds. Perfect as a bold burst of color to accent your mixed perennial beds, Kansas's deep-green foliage also serves as a lively backdrop for other smaller plants and perennials.

Great in low hedges, or interspersed magically among the perennial border, Kansas is anything but cowardly! Standing out boldly and on full display as an accent plant or magical specimen!

Be sure to plant these near your seating areas and patios so you can enjoy their dreamy scent! Don't forget your pollinator gardens either! The orderly growth and handsome foliage are perfect for both formal and informal plantings, urban spaces and cottage gardens alike!

No English border or cutting garden should be without the bold carmine, double flowers of Kansas Peony!

#ProPlantTips For Care

Caring for Kansas Peony is a breeze! These hardy perennial Peonies can handle dry to moist sites without fussing over soil type. Any site that has good drainage will make them happy as can be!

Kansas Peony needs full sun is best for large, well-formed flowers on strong stems. Those in the hotter summer climates should seek out these early bloomers and provide them with afternoon shade. Winter hardy from zones 3 through 8!

Peonies enjoy rich, well-draining soil. Water the new plant frequently to help it get off to a strong start. Avoid planting too deep and water new plants in well.

Deadhead after bloom is finished for a clean summer look, and leave the stems and foliage standing until the frost. Like all herbaceous perennials, Peony does die back to the ground when the cold arrives for the year. Cut off all stems at the ground and remove them from the area. This allows for a clean, neat winter appearance.

Peonies can be planted in both spring and fall. Bare root Peonies from Nature Hills are shipped as nice, 3-5 eye bare root divisions. Their woody roots are not uniform, it is normal for each root to look slightly different.

Plant with the eyes just below surface level with the woody roots spread out underneath. Once buried, water and mulch thoroughly.

There's no place like home when that home is filled with the magical red blooms of Kansas Peony! Start down the yellow-brick road towards a new Peony obsession, or add to your growing Peony collection with the brilliant Kansas Peony! Order yours from Nature Hills Nursery today!

Free shipping

On all orders over $199
Plant Sentry™

Compliant guaranteed
Easy returns

Hassle free returns policy
Live Chat

Talk to a real person

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Kansas Peonies deer resistant?

Kansas Peonies are deer resistant, as deer typically avoid these fragrant perennials. The strong scent and texture of peony foliage naturally deters browsing deer. Plant them in areas where deer pressure is a concern for reliable, long-lasting blooms.

How tall do Kansas Peonies grow at maturity?

Kansas Peonies typically reach 24-36 inches tall and wide at maturity. Their extremely strong stems rarely need staking, even in storms. Plant them where they have room to form their natural bushy mound shape, available at naturehills.com.

What are the USDA hardiness zones for Kansas Peonies?

Kansas Peonies are cold hardy perennials that thrive in USDA zones 3-8. These robust plants can handle harsh winters and will reliably return each spring for decades. Plant them in fall for best establishment before winter dormancy.

How much sunlight do Kansas Peonies need?

Kansas Peonies thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal blooming. These award-winning perennials can tolerate some morning shade but need afternoon sun to produce their signature double carmine-red flowers. Plant in the sunniest spot available.

What type of soil do Kansas Peonies prefer?

Kansas Peonies thrive in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. They prefer rich, loamy soil that doesn't stay waterlogged, as wet conditions can cause root rot. Plant in full sun to partial shade for best bloom production, available at naturehills.com.

How large are the blooms?

Kansas Peony produces very large, double carmine-red blooms in mid to late spring. These award-winning flowers are substantial enough to make a bold statement in the garden and hold up exceptionally well as cut flowers. Plant in full sun for the most impressive bloom size.

How often should Kansas Peonies be watered?

Kansas Peonies need deep, infrequent watering once established. Water weekly during dry spells, providing about 1 inch of water. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal issues on the glossy foliage. Water at soil level early morning for best results.

Can Kansas Peonies be grown in containers?

Kansas Peonies can be grown in containers but need deep, wide pots due to their extensive root system. The strong stems and bushy mound growth habit make them suitable for large containers. Use a pot at least 18-24 inches deep and wide, and ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.

Kansas Peony

Paeonia lactiflora 'Kansas'