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| Please Note: Peony
roots are only shipped in the fall. This is the best possible time to
plant peonies. |
| Basic Information About
Peonies |
Peonies have been favorite garden plants for
hundreds of years. Grown in China and Japan since the
seventh century, they have been in the gardens of Europe since
the time of the Crusades. In America, peonies have been
raised for more than two hundred years. Thomas Jefferson
grew peonies in his gardens at Monticello.
Peonies are our favorite perennials for several reasons.
They bear some of the most beautiful flowers in the
garden. The blooms of many varieties are fragrant.
Most peonies are attractive plants throughout the growing season
and often have colorful fall foliage. By including both
hybrid and lactiflora peonies in our garden we have peonies in
flower for a period of about six weeks.
Other real advantages of peonies are their longevity, cold
hardiness and freedom from pests. Peonies grow rather
slowly but do well for decades once established. This is
in marked contrast to most other garden perennials which need to
be dug and divided every several years to ensure continued
bloom. Peonies usually do very well in cold climates -
common garden varieties have been successfully frown within the
Arctic Circle. Peonies are rarely injured by disease but
may occasionally be infected by a few fungi which are common
plant pathogens.
Peonies may be grown in any area of the United States with
relatively cool winters. They do not do well in the deep
South. Roots should be planted in September and
October. (Because spring planting is not usually
satisfactory, we ship only in the fall.) Peonies need
sunlight at least half of the day and do best in a heavy
loam. Complete cultural instructions will be sent with
each order.
Several types of peonies are available. Hybrid peonies
have resulted from crossing peonies of different species.
They typically bloom quite early in the season and have sturdy
stems and stout roots. Foliage is usually of the light to
medium green color. Most hybrids have flowers which are
shades of red and pink. They often have a brilliance of
color unmatched in other peonies' flowers.
Lactiflora (or "Chinese") peonies are the type
commonly seen in gardens throughout the U.S. In comparison
with the hybrids, lactifloras bloom several weeks later and
usually have larger flowers and darker colored foliage.
Peonies may also be classified by their flower structure as
single (having one row of petals), Japanese (one or two rows of
outer petals and a center of colorful staminodes), or double
(with all of the flower parts transformed into petals).
Anemone and Semi-double blooms are between Japanese and double
flowers in their form.
For anyone interested in peonies, we recommend joining the
American Peony Society. Now over 95 years old, this group
publishes superb quarterly bulletins and sponsors a national
peony show each year. As a past president of the American
Peony Society, I want to do everything possible to help our
organization grow. If you wish to join the A.P.S. and
begin receiving our quarterly bulletins, just add $7.50 to you
order and we will see that you become a member. For
membership information, write the secretary-treasurer, Greta M.
Kessenich, 250 Interlachen Road, Hopkins, Minnesota 55343. |
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