Q: My wife loves peonies, and I want to surprise her with some for Mother's Day. But I know nothing about them and don't want to ask her too much, otherwise I might spoil the surprise. What do I need to know to pick the best ones?

A: Peonies come in a wide variety of colors and sizes, and they live for a very long time. You may need to ask her some basic questions, such as where they would go in the garden, so you can determine the right-sized plant and whether or not the environment in the desired location will allow them to thrive. Do you know her favorite color? That may help you pick a variety she will like.

There are thousands of varieties in the 25 to 40 species (depending on who's counting) that are divided into four main types: Herbaceous, Tree, Woodland and Intersectional. All four types are deer-resistant. Herbaceous and Tree peonies have several sub-types that vary by leaf shape and flower color.

Herbaceous peonies are the most common ones that everyone knows. Often planted in long rows to make a summer hedge, or as a base to the bare stems of a shrub hedge, they can make a great accent plant when planted by themselves. They are cut back and die to the ground in fall to ensure they go dormant. They need a minimum of five hours of sunlight, although they prefer eight or more. They need a well-drained soil that has lots of organic matter. The flowers can be red or white or every shade of pink in between. When 2 to 3 feet tall, the flower stalks may have five or more flowers, which can become so heavy that they flop over onto the ground, so they may need staking. These peonies grow best in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zones 3-8.

Tree peonies are long-lived shrubs that have woody stems that last for years. Some are as short as 3 feet, and some grow as large as 7 feet. Their red, pink, white or yellow flowers can be dinner-plate-sized. They need either partial sun or morning sun and afternoon shade, and a well-drained, organic soil. Grown in Zones 4-9, they don't need winter protection. In Zones 2-3 they die to the ground like Herbaceous peonies.

Woodland peonies grow less than 2 feet tall. They grow best in shade. They bloom first, just like many spring-blooming woodland flowers that get a head start before trees leaf out. Planted in a woodland, they can spread by seeds to form a tall ground cover. They grow in Zones 3-8.

Intersectional peonies are hybrids between Tree peonies and Herbaceous peonies. They have the best characteristics of both parents. Grow them in partial sun with good soil. They have sturdy, short stems that don't flop. Each plant can have up to 50 dinner-plate-sized flowers over a month-long blooming period. Besides the normal pink, red and white flowers, there are yellow and gold ones, too. They are much more disease-resistant than most Herbaceous peonies.

Peony bloom time varies according to the variety and your location between mid-May and mid-June. By picking different varieties, peonies can bloom in your landscape for an extended period of two months. The varieties bloom in a certain order: Woodland, Tree, Herbaceous and then Intersectional.

All varieties can be planted in the fall, but they are often sold bare-root in the spring catalogs. Potted peonies can be planted at any time. Peony roots and rhizomes grow near the surface. Don't plant them very deep in the ground. Tree peonies are often grafted and may need the graft union planted as deep as 6 inches underground. Planting instructions should come with any grafted Tree peony.

One last note: Herbaceous peony flower buds have nectar glands that attract insects, especially ants. Ants come to the flower bud and collect nectar, but their visits are not necessary for opening the peony flower bud. They won't do any harm and are not attracted to houses that have peonies planted nearby.

Your local nursery should carry peony varieties appropriate for your area, but they may not have the tree or intersectional varieties. If they don't, try the Peony's Envy website.

Email questions to Jeff Rugg at info@greenerview.com. To find out more about Jeff Rugg and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.