This Central Ohio Plant Ranch Is Throwing A Whole Festival For Peonies

Spring is just around the corner, and one of central Ohio’s most delightfully quirky garden destinations is getting ready to celebrate with a whole lot of peonies.

The 4th Annual Peony Palooza is returning to Groovy Plants Ranch in Marengo from March 20 through March 22, bringing one of the region’s largest collections of peonies together in one place. Best of all, the event is free to attend.

Garden lovers who make the trip will be able to browse more than 60 different varieties of peonies, from classic herbaceous blooms to rare and exotic options that collectors get excited about. The ranch actually starts preparing for the event months in advance, planting thousands of peonies specifically for the spring kickoff.

Visitors can expect to see everything from traditional garden favorites to tree peonies with lineages that date back thousands of years. There will also be Itoh hybrids, which are prized for their massive blooms and strong stems.

For Groovy Plants Ranch owner Jared Hughes, peonies are more than just beautiful flowers.

“To grow a peony is to grow a piece of history,” Hughes said. “These plants are true legacies that connect generations.”

In fact, one of the peonies growing at the ranch today originally belonged to Hughes’ great-great-grandmother and dates back to the late 1800s. The plant has been divided and shared many times over the years, something Hughes says perfectly captures why gardeners love peonies so much.

honey gold peony — A Honey Gold peony. Photo via Facebook.

Beyond the plants themselves, Peony Palooza is meant to be a full day out at the ranch.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can grab a bite from a rotating food truck and stop by a drink truck while exploring the grounds.

If you’ve never been to Groovy Plants Ranch, the event is a great excuse to check it out. Located just off I-71 about 30 miles north of Columbus, the colorful nursery has become a destination for plant lovers thanks to its playful vibe and ever-growing selection of plants, gifts, and garden goodies.

The property also includes the ranch’s gift shop, the Armadillo Villa, plus the Holler Earth rock shop, which is packed with crystals, fossils, and gems. There’s even a “potting saloon” where visitors can pick out containers and soil to pot their plants before heading home.

Whether you’re planning your 2026 garden or just looking for a fun spring outing, Peony Palooza offers a chance to wander the ranch, discover some beautiful blooms, and maybe take home a plant that will stick around for generations.