The propagation of herbaceous and tree peonies via seed represents a long-term cultivation strategy. This method involves germinating seeds harvested from mature peony plants to produce new individuals. The resulting plants may exhibit variations from the parent plant, offering opportunities for novel characteristics but also demanding patience, as several years are typically required to reach flowering maturity.
Seed propagation offers several advantages. It allows for the generation of a large number of plants, facilitates the development of unique peony varieties, and can be a cost-effective method for expanding a peony collection. Historically, seed propagation has been fundamental in peony breeding programs, contributing significantly to the diversity and refinement of cultivated peony cultivars.