What Time of Year Are Peonies Available in NYC?

Peonies are, without exaggeration, the most asked-about flower at our Manhattan studio. Every spring our phones start ringing in early April — "When will peonies be here? How long do they last? Can you ship them to my mom in Chicago?" And every fall, clients who missed the local season ask us the harder question: "Are there any peonies available right now?" The answer is more complicated — and more encouraging — than most people realize. NYC actually has peonies available for far more of the year than the traditional "May and June" answer suggests, thanks to a global supply chain that connects New York florists to growing regions in the Southern Hemisphere. Here's the complete TJ Flowers peony-season guide for NYC.

The Short Answer (For Featured Snippets)

Peonies are available in NYC from late April through late June for locally grown American peonies, with imported peonies filling additional windows from New Zealand (October through January) and Chile (November through February). The peak of local peony season in New York is late May through early June, when premium varieties like Sarah Bernhardt, Coral Charm, and Karl Rosenfield are at their best and most affordable. Prices run roughly $5–8 per stem locally in season and $10–15 per stem for imported peonies in off-season months. True peak peak — the absolute best quality and variety — is approximately May 20 through June 10 each year.

The Local NYC Peony Season: Late April Through June

Peonies are deeply seasonal and strongly weather-dependent. Local season in the Northeast begins with early varieties from Southern New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic growers around April 20, gradually shifting north through New York's Hudson Valley and up into New England through June. By late June, the last of the local peonies are coming out of Vermont and Canada's Niagara region.

The exact window depends on the year's weather. A cold late spring (2023 was a good example) pushed the local peak back by nearly two weeks. A warm spring (2024 ran early) brought peonies to NYC markets in the second week of April. At our studio, we start pre-ordering peonies in February for weddings booked in June, and we advise clients to have a backup variety in mind for mid-June weddings, when the local window is closing and supply is tightening.

The Import Windows: October Through February

Here is the part most New Yorkers don't know. Peonies are now commercially grown in the Southern Hemisphere specifically for export to North America during our winter. The Southern Hemisphere's spring is our fall — so their peony harvest season runs October through February, which is exactly when our fridges are empty of peonies.

New Zealand peonies: October through January, peaking in November and December. New Zealand peonies are famous for their huge bloom size and long stem length — typically 30+ inches, compared to 18–24 inches for many local peonies. Varieties like Sarah Bernhardt, Duchesse de Nemours, and Coral Charm are widely available. Pricing is $12–18 per stem wholesale, meaning retail is generally $15–22 per stem at florists.

Chilean peonies: November through February, peaking in December and January. Chile has expanded peony production enormously in the last ten years and now supplies a meaningful portion of the NYC winter market. Pricing is slightly lower than New Zealand, typically $10–15 per stem wholesale. Varieties are similar to New Zealand's offerings.

Combined, these two import windows mean that from late October through late February, we can source peonies for weddings, events, and deliveries — at a premium, but they're available. The roughly 8-week gap is February 20 through April 20, when peonies are essentially unavailable anywhere in the world at commercial scale. If your event falls in that window, consider garden roses or ranunculus as visually similar alternatives.

Peony Pricing by Season in NYC

Pricing varies enormously by season and variety. Here's what we see at our wholesale market and what we charge at retail.

Local peak (May 20 – June 10): $4–7 per stem retail for standard varieties like Sarah Bernhardt. $7–12 for premium coral varieties (Coral Charm, Coral Sunset) and large-bloom whites (Festiva Maxima).

Local shoulder (late April, late June): $6–10 per stem. Quality is still excellent but variety selection narrows.

Import peak (November – January): $15–22 per stem for New Zealand and Chilean imports. These are spectacular quality — often larger blooms than local summer peonies — but the price reflects the air freight.

Unavailable window (late February – late April): $25+ per stem if anyone has any, typically only from specialty greenhouse growers. Most florists will tell you honestly that they cannot source them at any price.

The Varieties We Carry Through the Year

Some peony varieties are only available locally; others are the workhorses of the import trade. The most common NYC peonies year-round are Sarah Bernhardt (the pink classic), Duchesse de Nemours (the fragrant white), and Coral Charm (the apricot-coral stunner that fades to yellow as it opens). These three represent about 60% of peony sales at our studio.

Less common but stunning when available: Festiva Maxima (white with red flecks), Karl Rosenfield (deep red), Bowl of Cream (pure white, huge blooms), and Red Charm (the only reliably red Southern Hemisphere export). See our full peony collection for currently-available varieties, and our wedding collection for peony-forward bridal designs.

How to Plan Events Around Peony Availability

If peonies are essential to your wedding or event, timing matters. For May-through-June events, you're in peak local season — enjoy the best pricing and variety of the year. For October-through-February events, plan on premium pricing but excellent quality from Southern Hemisphere imports. For late-February-through-April events, it is genuinely risky to plan peony-centric designs. We advise clients in that window to use peony-adjacent varieties — garden roses, ranunculus, or lisianthus — which give a similar soft, ruffly look.

Pre-ordering is critical. We recommend booking peonies a minimum of 6 weeks ahead for any event, and 12 weeks ahead for weddings during peak season. Read more on planning seasonal wedding florals in NYC for variety-by-month guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get peonies in July in NYC?

Occasionally — late-season growers in Canada and the Pacific Northwest sometimes ship into early July. Supply is thin and pricing is high. By mid-July, peonies are essentially over until October.

Why are winter peonies more expensive?

Air freight from New Zealand or Chile, plus the premium cold-chain handling required to keep them stable through a 10,000-mile trip. Growers also receive a premium for off-season production.

Are imported peonies as good as local ones?

Often better, honestly. New Zealand peonies in November are typically larger, longer-stemmed, and more uniform than local June peonies because they are grown specifically for the export market. The only downside is the price and the fact that they've traveled a long way.

What is the best month for peony weddings in NYC?

Late May through early June for the absolute best local peonies at the best prices. November through January is the next-best window, with imported peonies at premium pricing.

How long do peonies last once I get them?

5–7 days once fully open, or 7–10 days if you receive them as tight buds and let them open in your vase. See our guide on extending peony vase life for tips.

The TJ Flowers Take

Peonies are worth the hype — and with our year-round sourcing, you don't have to wait for June. Shop our peony collection or contact our team for event and wedding peony planning.