We apologize in advance to our Small Farm readers who love their flower gardens -- peonies in particular. We missed the Canada Post announcement in March, and we are only now sharing the news when peonies season is coming to an end.
This year's Canada Post annual flower stamp series featured two stunning peonies: 'Cytherea' and 'Marie-Victorin.' These elegant blooms were developed by Canadian horticulturists and are well-suited to the Canadian climate. Both flowers are admired for their large, showy blossoms and sweet fragrance.
Peonies are beloved around the world, especially for their incredible beauty in gardens. The two featured hybrids were carefully selected for their aesthetic appeal and their connection to Canada’s rich horticultural history. ‘Cytherea,’ a semi-double peony, was named after the Greek goddess of love and boasts delicate cherry-rose petals. It was developed by Arthur Percy Saunders, a leading Canadian peony hybridizer, in 1953.
'Marie-Victorin' was created in 2004 by Lindsay D’Aoust, who worked with seedlings from Maurice Ménard, a famous Quebec peony breeder. This symmetrical flower has soft pink petals with unique purple-pink flares, making it a standout in any garden. It is named after Brother Marie-Victorin, a respected botanist and founder of Montréal Botanical Garden.
Both flowers are now immortalized on Canada Post’s commemorative stamps, which are highly popular for use on wedding invitations and other special stationery.
Since 2007, Canada Post has issued beautiful floral stamps each year, and the 2025 peony designs received praise for their elegance and local significance. The stamps were designed in Ottawa, home of the Central Experimental Farm peony collection, where the flowers were photographed.
Celebrate the beauty of Canadian-grown peonies with these collectible stamps, perfect for mailing or as a keepsake.