Try planting peonies that produce side buds thus will give you more blooms which will last longer.I suggest going to a growers website like Hollingsworth or Adelmans and read the descripitions or using Carten Burkhardts Web Project Paeonia to get information on which would be best.

A suggestion that applies in my area is to try any thing other than the full doubles. There are a few full doubles that have sturdy stems. You will find that when the full doubles open there are generally rain storms and high winds. It is not one of those things that because of this, this happens. It just seems to coincide. You can cut the stems when in soft ball and put in frig to keep them longer.

Another suggestion for warmer areas with lots of sun is if you like long blooming plants avoid the darker colors. Dark red especially concentrates the heat. As the petals warm up it shortens the time on the plant. I have waited for years for the first bloom of a peony, looked at it in the morning and came home to find the bloom already spent and petals on the ground.

Good luck on you selections