Don Hollingsworth was born in St. Joseph.
Hollingsworth began hybridizing peony plants in 1958. Sixty four years later he received a lifetime achievement award for his work in the field.

Hollingsworth grew up just south of St. Joseph and attended Benton High School and the University of Missouri. He worked with the University of Missouri extension and in 1957 made his first crosses. Since then he has created and put out over 80 varieties of peonies to the market from his farm in Maryville. Hollingsworth Peonies currently owns numerous trademarks and patents and are sold worldwide.