Do you like peonies?
My friend Michael sure does! This is only the second time that I've visited his garden when his peony beds were in bloom...
...and although I should have been helping him unload compost from my truck (the main point of my visit) I was busy snapping photos instead!
I don't grow these myself, but some of them are so wonderful! Of course the ones I liked the most were the ones that Mike described as "somewhat rare and quite expensive".
He's planning on digging up some of these later in the year (whenever the right time for doing that is, I suppose after they're finished blooming) to raise the level of soil in the bed, and he's offered to give me some divisions.
I don't grow any peonies right now, so this will be a nice addition to my garden!
Do you have any of these wonderful blooms in your garden? (Or are you expecting some soon?)
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Peonies are one of the perennials that grew in my previous zone three garden. For that alone I love them. However, many also have incredible fragrance and often outlive those who planted them. My personal preferance for garden use is the single or semi doubles that are able to hold themselves up. The huge double bombs are icredibly beautiful as cut flowers. In fact, that's for what they were originally created. They're also beautiful in the garden but, in my book, the less staking and support a plant needs, the better.
I should have pointed out that Mike's doubles haven't opened yet, but I didn't see any support system in place for them. The singles and semi-doubles definitely didn't require staking. Fragrance was quite nice too!
WOOOOWWW. I love peonies! Virtually impossible to grow in our zone 9b climate. Your photos are stunning. I can only imagine the fragrance.
I adore them, love them, go mad for them. Oooh and ahh for your beautiful photos!
They grow fine here, just won't bloom. Ever.
I must make do with my Itoh type--and I love that one, too. Just not quite as gorgeous as the cold-climate type.
My peony bush is almost ready to bloom....which means within the next few days we'll get some heavy rain or wind that will knock all the petals off. I've never had them last for more than a couple of days :-)
I echo most people in that they are lovely (I'm partial to the singles), but so hard to keep looking decent in normal garden conditions. My grandmother had several, and it never failed that the minute they started to bloom, we'd get heavy rain and they'd all end up on the ground :-(
I'm incredibly envious of your friend's peonies. The only way to get herbaceous peonies here is to buy cut buds for the 2-week period those are available in local markets. Tree peonies are supposed to do better, although, after 2 years, I'm still waiting for my 1st bloom. I did break down and spend an exorbitant amount on one of the new Itoh peonies - and if it doesn't rebloom next year, I'll be devastated. All this is to say: take advantage of your opportunity to grow them!
Your photos are beautiful and I would jump at the chance to have Peonies ... they don't grow here. I was gifted one that limped aling and finally died. Its too hot here, even in winter.
But if you get some for your garden I'll get to admire them, so Yay!
Love peonies so much! I just planted one purchased from Fort Collins Nursery and the black ants are milking the three buds. I hope they facilitate it blooming. I had a friend in Denver whose driveway was lined with peony plants. She would bring in ARMLOADS of cut blooms to give away at the office. A little bit of heaven in her arms each spring...CheyDesignGuy
Thanks for the comments -- everybody loves these blooms it seems. The severe weather ruining plants is something I deal with all summer long, so I'm not going to keep the possibility of weather-ruined blooms stop me from planting if Mike offers some divisions.
(I think I like the singles the best too Scott)
I have peonies in my garden that came from my grandmothers yard. I realize when I see them how many memories of my grandma involve her in the garden and the plants she loved and grew.
Your photos are beautiful!
I love peonies! Your photos are beautiful! These are something I wish I had in my garden. Someday...
How gorgeous are these - my daughter's favourite flower!!
I have, well as of now they are blooming gorgeously at our yard, you should have some at your garden too.