Friday, February 24, 2017

2017 Record February Temperatures Cause Peonies to Sprout Early


Peony 'Lustrous'

Weather forecasters all over the country are reporting record high temperatures this month. It is supposedly the 2nd warmest February on record here so far. This early spring warm up has some peonies popping up a bit early and sending new shoots and buds up too. Many of A. P. Saunders' early hybrid peonies are starting to come up - Peony 'Lustrous', Peony 'Red Red Rose', Peony 'Halcyon', and Peony 'Rose Garland'.
Peony 'Red Red Rose'
Peony 'Halcyon'
Peony 'Rose Garland'
Peony 'Prairie Moon'

Tree Peony
'White Phoenix'
Tree Peony
'White Phoenix'

The tree peonies are definitely farther along than the herbaceous peonies. It almost looks like we could get our first bloom in February, especially if these temperatures continue. It has been in the 70s or close to 70 all week! Tree Peony 'White Phoenix' looks like it may bloom first. However, the foliage on Tree Peony 'Kamata-nishiki' 鎌田錦 is definitely the most developed. I can't wait to see these peonies bloom, and I am wishing and hoping that we do not get a nasty cold snap!

Tree Peony 'Kamata-nishiki' 鎌田錦

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