Overview

Honoring Quality in Peonies and People

Values that show through in our awards

The American Peony Society has numerous peony related awards, which have been developed and promoted over the past 100 years in support of the peony.   These awards serve to recognize not only outstanding peony flowers and plants, but the people that have been important to this lovely plant.

The “Gold Medal” is awarded annually for peonies exhibiting outstanding floral qualities and in recent years has also been designated  “Peony of the Year.”  These peonies are excellent for gardeners wishing to have plants that produce outstanding flowers for use as cut flowers, arranging or simple visual enjoyment.

The Award of Distinction recognizes peonies which exhibit unique and valuable advancements in plant and flower characteristics. The award may be applied to any type of peony, with a special focus on rare and commercially emergent cultivars which are deserving of greater exposure.  Through this award the Society’s purpose is supported by forwarding the peony through education and exposure to unique and high-quality cultivars which have not yet become widely available.  Awarded cultivars are not limited to new introductions and may be older introductions which have not received widespread exposure.

Personal awards are given to American Peony Society members that have given of themselves to promote the peony in a variety of ways.  Awardees include hybridizers, APS Board members, Growers, peony ambassadors, authors and a wide variety of other personalities important to the peony world.

Award of Landscape Merit peonies are recognized for their excellence of plant habit in the landscape.  Peonies with this award designation are stellar performers and superior garden plants.

Best in Show and Exhibition awards are given to flowers shown at the annual American Peony Society’s Flower Show which is held in conjunction with the convention.   An array of awards are given at this event, but the most coveted award is Grand Champion, representing best in show.   To get a healthy taste of the wide range of peony flower colors and forms, this is a “CAN’T  MISS” event!

The awarded peonies are a small slice of excellent peonies that may be available today, but there are many more.  Watch for the next additions to the American Peony Society’s Awarded Peony listings.

Woody Peony ‘Hephestos’. A Gold Medal and Best in Show Winner.

Herbaceous Hybrid ‘Etched Salmon’  is the recipient of the Award of Landscape Merit and Gold Medal.

Additional Resources

Explore each award category for a wealth of information.