Somebody said it couldn’t be done—peonies couldn’t be grown successfully as far south as Corinth, Mississippi. But Milton F. Rubel, retired banker of Corinth, who has been gardening for 65 of his 71 years, wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. Milton F. Rubel’s Peony Journey In 1930, he bought a few of the early double … Read more
That period between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15 is best for planting, transplanting, or dividing peonies, and the earlier they can be put into the ground the sooner they become accustomed to it and growth begins. Planting Peonies Considerable controversy on peony planting dates was raised some years ago when one grower stipulated, in instructions … Read more
Our first adventure with peonies started almost 40 years ago when we bought a collection of about a dozen varieties. This included: We moved our garden twice in the following years, but we still have most of the original plants. As the years passed, we added many new varieties so that today we have over … Read more
The tree peony, the aristocrat of the garden, has dignity, becoming a plant of ancient lineage and royal patronage. In its native land, China, where it has been known as the king of flowers from time immemorial, it has been the subject of painting and poetry for more than 1500 years. The rulers of China … Read more
The Fiftieth Annual Exhibition of the American Peony Society, sponsored and staged by the Minnesota Peony and Iris Society in the large lobby of the Northwestern National Bank of Minneapolis on June 21 and 22, was one of the most beautiful and complete ever held. June 21 was a little early for the late-blooming peonies … Read more
Many old colonial gardens had a few enormous bushes of the first tree peony to be brought from China. This was Paeonia moutan banksi, named for Sir Joseph Banks, director of Kew Gardens, in 1787 when the plant was brought to him by a traveler he had instructed to look out for it. According to … Read more
Show dates have to be set well in advance, and, of course, they are always set based on “average” weather conditions in the vicinity. It’s only natural, then, that whenever “Old Man Weather” decides to change his scheme of things, a show suffers rather drastically, especially as regards exhibits from nearby growers. That’s just what … Read more
Peonies are so hardy, and durable. and long-lived that they usually get along with no attention at all. Reasons for Not Blooming Well But you can help yours have better flowers. If they aren’t blooming well, check this list of possible reasons: • Not enough sun (they like it all day) • Newly transplanted (need … Read more
In severe climates where many other perennials are short-lived, these hardy plants thrive. They require only a minimum of care after they have become established. Once a gardener plants a peony, he is finished with that task for the rest of his life. The very same clumps will come back year after year to display … Read more
When we talk about modern peonies, we do not do so to discredit the older varieties. Such favorites as Mons. Jules Elie, Festiva Maxima, Reine Hortense, and many others still have a place in most gardens. Great Advancements With Peony Since about 1900, Growers and specialists have made great advancements with the peony. The biggest … Read more