Friday, February 12, 2010

A Peony That Stands Alone

One of my favorite childhood memories was helping my aunt cut the peonies that lined a narrow strip in our backyard.  I have a picture of my eighth grade graduation with a huge bouquet of peonies in my hands.  The aroma of peonies is overwhelming but to me never offensive. I had peonies at my last house that I had to put in cages or they were all over the ground.  So, I finally decided to try a single variety.

I purchased two Krinkled White Peonies and put them in the back of my yard.  Krinkled White is an early bloomer in May for about two weeks duration.  They are about twenty-five feet from my patio, but they pop out from among the green during the late May garden.  I am not a fan of peony soldiers (all lined up in a row),but I do like to see them peek out of a border here and there.  Because they are singles they do not require support. 

Do not cut down peony foliage (it looks very good throughout the summer season).  It can be trimmed down when the leaves fall.  Peonies do not like to be divided so they are carefree.  When planting peonies that red bud needs to be above the soil to promote flowering. If all of that flopping and caging bothers you, take a look at the single peonies.  I do miss that rose- like flowers on the old fashioned peonies, but I don't miss what they look like after a rain!

13 comments:

joey said...

I adore peonies ... a lovely sight on this winter's day!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

I looked forever for the picture of it in my border. Finally found it, scanned it (I guess I took this with a 35mm, seems so antiquated now) a little blurry but it gives an idea of peonies in a border.

Eileen

Darla said...

These are beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Dear Eileen, These are almost without doubt my favourite perennial. And, as you point out, they are such good value not only on account of the flowers but also because of the attractive foliage which unfurls so prettily and dies so gracefully.

I am delighted that you grow them and have so enjoyed looking at your pictures.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Edith,

There are so many plants that I do not grow anymore because my garden is so small, but I'll always have room for a peony.

Eileen

Dirty Girl Gardening said...

There is something about that fantastic peony scent that is worth waitng for a whole year to get a bloom... love them.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Dear fellow bloggers,

Please do not think that I didn't post your comments. For some reason, after I hit publish I lose comments every once in awhile. If anyone has an answer to this I would love to know how to correct this.

garden girl said...

Single peonies are beautiful, and it's wonderful that they don't flop. Some of the newer doubles have stronger stems and do a better job staying upright too. And tree peonies. . . pricey, but I love 'em. Peonies are so long-lived they should be included in a gardener's will!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks so much for your comments. I am going to check out those stronger stemmed doubles.

Eileen

kate said...

My Peony bush was hot pink when we moved into the house 37 years ago, last year it was a pale pink with white centers, has this happened to you? I think a peony is a true sign of spring.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

This has happened to me with cone flowers when I had planted pink and white together. Maybe someone out there has an explanation. Cross polination??

Gatsbys Gardens said...

The only reason I found listed was herbicide damage (such as a spray fertilizer and weed control).

At my previous home, I would get a great deal of plant damage from spray lawn fertilizer with weed control. I do all granular now.

Tammy said...

I love peonies as well. They are a pretty popular old garden plant around here. One of these days I would love to try a tree form.