Peonies are a sedative to the tired mind and weary body. To produce them requires no engraved parchments designating degrees in entomology, plant pathology, political chaos, or any other department of science, as the noble peony bathes few hugs or ailments. Only elementary knowledge is necessary, such as being competent to distinguish a hoe from … Read more
My experience with tree peonies began in complete ignorance of the subject. Fascinated by pictures in a catalog, I purchased seed, and I’ve been growing tree peonies ever since. Although the literature contains glowing terms describing the flowers, words alone cannot properly describe their beauty. You have to see tree peonies to appreciate them fully. … Read more
Why are tree peonies grafted? Tree peonies from seed do not grow true to color and the plants do not lend themselves to division. Why are tree peonies generally more expensive than herbaceous types? The propagation of tree peonies is both difficult and slow. What is the color range of tree peonies? White. pink, coral, … Read more
Never before have the glorious accomplishments of the past, the splendid productions of the present, and the exciting prospects for the future been more effectively spotlighted or more enthusiastically received than at the Annual Exhibition of the American Peony Society. Professionals and amateurs—from all over the country come to view the “best” in the peony … Read more
Plants are too young and immature. Let them develop. Planted too deep. Examine and, if eyes are more than 3” inches underground, raise to two inches. Large clumps are planted without proper division. Dig, divide into small or standard divisions and plant. Buds were killed by late frost. Hope for better luck next year. Buds … Read more
Peonies are perfect perennials, attractive from early spring when the reddish shoots appear until they die down in a blaze of autumn glory. After the billowy mounds of pink, white to creamy yellow, crimson, or rose have graced the garden in season, the foliage remains green and decorative all summer long. Plant a good peony … Read more
Glance out into the garden, down the path to the flower borders. Is your eye stopped by billowy mounds of pink, white, crimson, or rose—the grand show of peonies? This month this shrubby perennial, prized for its elegant flowers, enduring foliage, and incredibly long life, highlights many gardens. Years ago, when Paeonia Officinalis Rubra was … Read more
As the first breath of spring scents the air, the uppermost thought in my mind and many other gardeners is to tread the beaten garden path to watch for the tiny red shoot that will produce a magnificent flower in a few short weeks the peony. This dramatic unfolding of nature is a spring spectacle … Read more
Division of tree peonies is so uncertain and slow that we must resort to grafting—a specialist’s job if ever there was one—to propagate this plant. Different Peony Propagation Methods Grafting Tree Peonies Japanese gardeners used to graft peonies on roots of the wild species, suffruticosa, but so much trouble arose from the vigorously sprouting habits … Read more
For 50 years, I have grown tree peonies. I remember my first glimpse of them in the catalog of an old British firm, Kelway & Co. Even those little prints seemed to be the most beautiful flowers I had ever seen—blooms of exquisite form and delicate texture, heavy buds, and dark foliage like Jorms in … Read more