California peony
Paeonia californica
Last reviewed: October 2026
California peony (Paeonia californica) is a perennial forb native to CA. It blooms in January, February, March, and April. The flowers draw bees and ants.
Toxicity unknown
California peony (Paeonia californica) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part shade
Water
low
Size
12"–24" H × 18"–24" W
Bloom
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Native to
CA
Pollinators
bees, ants
Before you buy
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A winter-active perennial with divided blue-green leaves and nodding, deep maroon-red flowers that open early in the year before most other plants have leafed out. It goes dormant and disappears cleanly by early summer.
Growing California peony
Grow California peony in part shade and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 18 to 24 inches wide.
Wildlife value
The early flowers offer nectar to bees at a time when few other plants are blooming, and ants are frequent visitors to the extrafloral nectar.
Common questions
- How much sun does California peony need?
- California peony grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does California peony bloom?
- California peony blooms in January, February, March, and April.
- Where is California peony native?
- California peony (Paeonia californica) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does California peony attract?
- California peony draws bees and ants.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow California peony? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.