Characteristics

Paeonia ‘Smith Family Yellow’ brings sunlight down to eye level. Its double blooms open in soft lemon-yellow—petals ruffled and rounded like folded cream paper warmed by the morning. At the heart: a quiet burst of golden stamens, never loud, just bright. Midseason flowering, no side buds, and a naturally balanced habit make this intersectional feel effortless. Every stem holds one clean, full flower, shaped for structure, shaded for softness. Introduced in 2002, this is a variety that doesn’t fade. It glows.

Origin Smith Family Yellow Peony

Developed with colour clarity in mind, ‘Smith Family Yellow’ came from the early wave of intersectionals that focused on bloom tone without sacrificing field form. Where older yellows could bleach or collapse, this one holds: its petals stay fresh, its stems upright. With Itoh lineage beneath and a classic roundness above, it’s a variety that blends precision with warmth. Midseason growers lean on it for timing. Designers love it for tone. And everyone remembers the name.

INTERSECTIONAL

This is intersectional breeding at its most honest—no drama, no extra demands. ‘Smith Family Yellow’ grows clean, stays firm, and flowers on schedule. With just one bloom per stem and no side buds, energy is channelled into one bright centrepiece. The foliage stays fresh long after bloom, giving structure to the bed and ease to the grower. It’s not a show-off, but it doesn’t need to be.

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