Lithuania's Largest Peony Collection Blooms, Inaugural Festival Held

The Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Botanical Garden is currently showcasing its extensive peony collection, boasting approximately 900 species and varieties, making it the largest in Lithuania. This year marks a significant occasion as the garden hosts its inaugural Peony Festival, inviting visitors not only to admire the blooms but also to delve into the rich history and significance of peonies in ornamental horticulture, breeding, and plant heritage.

"Peonies are among the oldest cultivated ornamental plants in human history, with a lineage spanning over three thousand years. Today, thousands of varieties are registered worldwide. Our collection allows visitors to see a vast diversity of these plants in one place – from wild species to the latest global breeding cultivars," explained Žibutė Baškien, the curator and senior specialist of the peony collection at the VMU Botanical Garden.

The collection meticulously preserves the genetic diversity of peonies. It includes numerous cultivars developed in Lithuania and abroad, evaluated for their suitability to the Lithuanian climate. Prominent Lithuanian breeders like Dr. Ona Skeivienė, Jonas-Evaldas Tarvydas, Emilija Tarvidienė, Pranciškus Puidokas, Semion Eicher-Lorka, Kęstutis Vyšniauskas, Viktorija Vyšniauskienė, and Dr. Arūnas Balsevičius are represented, with some of their creations included in the National Plant Genetic Resources.

A key highlight of the festival is an international peony exhibition featuring collections and breeding work from the VMU Botanical Garden, Vilnius University Botanical Garden, Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy Botanical Garden, Tallinn Botanical Garden (Estonia), and Kalsnava Arboretum (Latvia). Renowned Baltic breeders will also participate, presenting their latest cultivars. Visitors can vote for their favorite peony bloom, with the most popular variety to be declared the "public's favorite."

Beyond the visual spectacle, the festival aims to educate the public on the biological and cultural importance of peonies. Guided tours of the peony collections led by Žibutė Baškien are scheduled, along with lectures focusing on Lithuanian peony varieties. The event underscores the enduring appeal and historical significance of these captivating flowers.

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Peonies are among the oldest cultivated ornamental plants in human history, with a lineage spanning over three thousand years. Today, thousands of varieties are registered worldwide. Our collection allows visitors to see a vast diversity of these plants in one place – from wild species to the latest global breeding cultivars.