The article is devoted to the brief history of research efforts into breeding of the representatives of the genus Paeonia L. in Russia. The lead scientists and experts in this field of horticulture are named; the most important achievements of domestic peony breeders are shown. Results of the breeding work carried out by scientists and enthusiast gardeners on developing new forms of herbaceous peonies are described. The most popular peony varieties are listed. The work of Ufa breeders over the last 60 years is presented in more details. There are given such characteristics of hybrid peony varieties bred at the Botanical Garden-Institute of Ufa Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, as height, diameter and leafiness of the bush; color, shape, diameter and aroma of the flower; time and duration of flowering; features of fruit bearing; resistance of flowers to fading as well as to adverse weather conditions, diseases and pests. The following data are presented: by which way the varieties were obtained - by open pollination or directed crossings; names of their authors and the numbers of inventor’s certificates.