Sunday, January 12, 2020

2020 Herbaceous Hot 100 Peony Catalog Price Comparison List

I've been doing my Intersectional Peony Catalog Price Comparison Lists for 8 years now. This will be the 4th year that I list some of the pricey herbaceous peonies that people might be interested in. There are several up and coming hot herbaceous peonies that tend to be around or above the $100 price range. Some of these peonies can be hard to find and acquire because their stock is so limited (and some are sold out already). So this list will give you a heads up of where you can find them and who has them priced for what.

You can also check out last year's 2019 Herbaceous Hot 100 Peony Catalog Price Comparison List, if you want to know the exact prices for these peonies last year. Even if you don't want to spend that much on one peony (yet!), at least you can drool! Enjoy!

(Also if you'd like your company to be listed here, please join the American Peony Society as a Commercial Member, since this is where I obtain my peony grower information.)


Herbaceous Hot 100 Peony Price List
Peony 'Dreamtime'

I am missing a few prices from Hidden Springs Flower Farm this year since I didn't have a chance to collect it right away. If anyone ordered any of the sold out varieties, please email me or leave a comment to let me know what the price(s) were, and I will update the list.

Varieties
Offered
Peony Vendor
Price Change
from Last Year

7
Adelman mostly lower or same
0
Blossom Hill same
6
Brooks mixed, lower, same, & higher
1
Cricket Hill same
0
Fina same
5
Hidden Springs same
27
Hollingsworth mostly lower
3
Oh My Peonies same
0
Peony's Envy same
14
Peony Shop Holland lower or same
20
Solaris Farms many higher, many lower
2
Song Sparrow lower
30
Swenson mixed, lower, same, & higher

Herbaceous PeonyPriceVendor
Angela Jo$450.00Hollingsworth
Anna$400.00Hollingsworth
Alexander Woollcott$70.00Adelman
Bethie$300.00Hollingsworth
Blood Moon$375.00Solaris Farms
Blushing Princess€75.00Peony Shop Holland
Butterfly Kisses$75.00Swenson
Bob$?.00Hidden Springs
Calliope$300.00Solaris Farms
Cherry Bomb$500.00Solaris Farms
Colonel Owen Cousins€75.00Peony Shop Holland
Colonel Owen Cousins$100.00Brooks
Dreamtime$130.00Hollingsworth
Dreamtime$140.00Solaris Farms
Early Canary$100.00Hollingsworth
Early Canary$?.00Hidden Springs
Early Windflower$75.00Hidden Springs
Edna's Wish$550.00Hollingsworth
Elise McKenna$400.00Hollingsworth
Elizabeth Black$550.00Solaris Farms
Europa$375.00Solaris Farms
Faithful Dream$120.00Hollingsworth
Faithful Dream$200.00Oh My Peonies
Faithful Dream€350.00Peony Shop Holland
Fire Bomb$150.00Swenson
Garden Gem$70.00Hollingsworth
Gena Marie$300.00Hollingsworth
Golden Angel$36.00Hollingsworth
Golden Angel$36.00Song Sparrow
Golden Wheel$79.00Cricket Hill
Greenland$75.00Adelman
Kathy's Touch$70.00Hollingsworth
Kathy's Touch$75.00Brooks
Kayleigh Ann$240.00Hollingsworth
Kayleigh Ann€600.00Peony Shop Holland
Kim$450.00Solaris Farms
KimSue$200.00Hollingsworth
Lavender$110.00Brooks
Lemon Chiffon€24.00Peony Shop Holland
Lemon Chiffon$50.00Brooks
Lemon Chiffon$50.00Swenson
Lemon Chiffon$60.00Solaris Farms
Lemon Chiffon$60.00Song Sparrow
Lemon Chiffon$70.00Hollingsworth
Lemon Chiffon$75.00Adelman
Lemon Hayes€400.00Peony Shop Holland
Little Corporal€100.00Peony Shop Holland
Little Corporal$180.00Solaris Farms
Little Dorrit$150.00Brooks
Little Dorrit$300.00Swenson
Lois' Choice$84.00Hollingsworth
Lois' Choice$85.00Brooks
Lois' Choice$120.00Adelman
Majesty's Splendor€350.00Peony Shop Holland
Manitowoc Maiden$125.00Solaris Farms
Melissa$150.00Hollingsworth
Mystic Pink$400.00Oh My Peonies
Necromancer$85.00Solaris Farms
Nelda's Joy$175.00Brooks
New Dimension$200.00Hollingsworth
Old Soldier$95.00Solaris Farms
Paeonia tenuifolia rosea 'Kinlen'$150.00Solaris Farms
Pastelegance$140.00Hollingsworth
Pastelegance$150.00Swenson
Pastelegance$170.00Solaris Farms
Pastelegance$185.00Adelman
Pastelegance$199.00Oh My Peonies
Pastelorama$180.00Solaris Farms
Pastelorama$200.00Hollingsworth
Pastelorama€350.00Peony Shop Holland
Red Laquer$1000.00Swenson
Roger's Delight$750.00Swenson
Roger's Prize$500.00Swenson
Romantic Blush$450.00Hidden Springs
Romantic Elegance$350.00Hidden Springs
Queen of Diamonds$500.00Solaris Farms
Quitzin€60.00Peony Shop Holland
Quitzin$110.00Hollingsworth
Sky Dance$300.00Hollingsworth
Sky Dance$375.00Solaris Farms
Solara$200.00Solaris Farms
Stephen E Ambrose$400.00Swenson
Summer Glow$70.00Adelman
Summer Glow$90.00Hollingsworth
Sunny Boy$225.00Solaris Farms
Sunny Boy$250.00Hollingsworth
Sunny Girl€21.00Peony Shop Holland
Sweet Lemonade$180.00Adelman
Tropicana$60.00Hollingsworth
Tropicana$60.00Solaris Farms
Triphena Parkin€400.00Peony Shop Holland
Vanilla Schnapps$100.00Hollingsworth
Vanilla Schnapps$100.00Solaris Farms
Vanilla Schnapps€150.00Peony Shop Holland
Viking Valor€75.00Peony Shop Holland
Virginia Emerson$90.00Hollingsworth
Wonderous Awakening$100.00Swenson
Wonderous Canvas$150.00Swenson
Wonderous Creation$200.00Swenson
Wonderous Cup$100.00Swenson
Wonderous Design$200.00Swenson
Wonderous Event$100.00Swenson
Wonderous Glory$200.00Swenson
Wonderous Harmony$100.00Swenson
Wonderous Home$100.00Swenson
Wonderous Light$100.00Swenson
Wonderous Palette$300.00Swenson
Wonderous Pink$200.00Swenson
Wonderous Ruffles$150.00Swenson
Wonderous Shine$300.00Swenson
Wonderous Song$200.00Swenson
Wonderous Spectacle$200.00Swenson
Wonderous Spirit$150.00Swenson
Wonderous Sun$200.00Swenson
Wonderous Top$150.00Swenson
Wonderous Vision$100.00Swenson
Wonderous Works$200.00Swenson
Wonderous Yellow$200.00Swenson

Saturday, January 11, 2020

2020 Solaris Farms Offers 20 Intersectional Peony Varieties for $30.00!

Southern Peony Intersectional Peony Garden

Remember back in 2014 Swenson Gardens 7 Intersectional Peonies for $35!? That was unheard of back then, well I think Solaris Farms just took the cake. This year in the 2020 Solaris Farms catalog they are offering 20, (yes 20!), different intersectional peony varieties for $30 each. Intersectional peonies are now finally becoming affordable to all peony growers. That's 20 different cultivars to choose from in an impressive array of colors - Yellows, Pinks, Blush, Coral Pinks, Reds, and Lavender.

Check out our Southern Peony 2020 Intersectional Peony Price List to see all of the intersectional peony varieties they are offering and how the prices stack up, but let me tell you. Solaris Farms is really blowing away the competition this year on intersectional peony price points, and I am thrilled! If you're ready to fill out your intersectional peony bed (or start a new one), head on over to Solaris Farms to fill it up! :-)

Thursday, January 9, 2020

2020 Intersectional Peony 'Chief Black Hawk' Price Drops Over 50%


Intersectional Peony 'Chief Black Hawk'
Price Drops from $175 to $85 at Brooks Gardens!

Another piece of breaking news from this year's Southern Peony 2020 Intersectional Peony Price List - Intersectional Peony 'Chief Black Hawk' Price Drops by Over 50% (in one year)!! I must say I had been waiting and waiting for the price of this intersectional peony to come down, and now it finally has. (Although, I actually won this peony in the American Peony Society auction last year. So I don't need to buy it now, but you might!) The lowest price for this peony in last year's Southern Peony 2019 Intersectional Peony Price List was $175.00!!! Now in this year's 2020 price list, the price for Intersectional Peony 'Chief Black Hawk' has come down to $85 at Brooks Gardens! What a steal! If you've been waiting for the price of this one to drop too, now's the time to bite! Intersectional Peony 'Chief Black Hawk' is supposed to be the darkest red intersectional peony on the market. I don't think any new intersectional peony registrations have been made that are darker. Now's your chance to snag one!

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

2020 Intersectional Peony Bartzella Reaches $35 Price Point


Intersectional Peony 'Bartzella'

Wow! If you haven't had time to review my 2020 Southern Peony Intersectional Peony Price List yet, you'll be happy to know Intersectional Peony 'Bartzella' has reached a new lowest-ever price point of $35 at Solaris Farms! I have never seen this peony ever offered at this low, low price! Peony 'Bartzella' is an American Peony Society Gold Medal Winner and a Southern Peony Best Performer. It remains one of the most popular intersectional peonies of all time due to its beautiful, tall, rounded growth habit, its giant, double, golden yellow blossoms, and its vigor in so many climates. I can't say enough good things about this peony. It grows well, multiples well, divides well, and most of all - it makes your garden beau ceaux beautiful!!!

If you still don't have Intersectional Peony 'Bartzella', now is the time to pick one up (or three). Your garden will be blooming in giant yellow-petalled blossoms in no time! Even if you already own Intersectional Peony 'Bartzella', now might be the time to add a grouping or line a walk with these gorgeous yellow beauties. Every spring, your garden will thank you! ;-)

Sunday, January 5, 2020

2020 Intersectional Peony Catalog Price Comparison List

I was able to get my 2020 Intersectional Peony Catalog Price Comparison List up much quicker this year! I hope this list aids you in your 2020 peony purchasing selections! The vendors who don't have their lists up yet still have a line through them. I'll update this information as more online peony catalogs are updated and become available.

If you'd like to compare this year's prices to last year's prices, here's a link to my 2019 Intersectional Peony Catalog Price Comparison List. Enjoy!

(Also if you'd like your company to be listed here, please join the American Peony Society as a Commercial Member, since this is where I obtain my peony grower information.)


Southern Peony 2020 Intersectional Peony Price List
Intersectional Peony 'Yumi'

Varieties
Offered
Peony Vendor
Price Change
from Last Year

37
Adelman mostly same or lower
0
Blossom Hill same
19
Brooks mostly lower or same
9
Cricket Hill same
8
Fina mostly same
7
Hidden Springs mostly lower
12
Hollingsworth mixed, lower, same, & higher
20
Oh My Peonies same
7
Peony's Envy same
18
Peony Shop Holland mixed, lower & higher
37
Solaris Farms mostly lower
8
Song Sparrow mostly lower
38
Swenson mostly lower or same

Intersectional PeonyPriceVendor
Anderson's Kaleidoscope€18.00Peony Shop Holland
Anderson's Kaleidoscope$50.00Swenson
Anderson's Kaleidoscope$50.00Solaris Farms
(Anderson's) Kaleidoscope$75.00Brooks
Bad Hair Day€175.00Peony Shop Holland
Ballarena de Saval$65.00Adelman
Bartzella€12.00Peony Shop Holland
Bartzella$35.00Solaris Farms
Bartzella$45.00Adelman
Bartzella$48.95Hidden Springs
Bartzella$50.00Brooks
Bartzella$50.00Hollingsworth
Bartzella$50.00Oh My Peonies
Bartzella$60.00Swenson
Bartzella$79.00Peony's Envy
Bartzella$89.00Cricket Hill
Berry Garcia€19.00Peony Shop Holland
Berry Garcia$95.00Brooks
Border Charm$25.00Swenson
Border Charm$40.00Adelman
Border Charm$40.00Brooks
Border Charm$40.00Oh My Peonies
Border Charm$50.00Song Sparrow
Callie's Memory€11.00Peony Shop Holland
Callie's Memory$30.00Solaris Farms
Callie's Memory$35.00Oh My Peonies
Callie's Memory$40.00Swenson
Callie's Memory$50.00Hollingsworth
Callie's Memory$60.00Brooks
Canary Brilliants$30.00Solaris Farms
Canary Brilliants$40.00Swenson
Canary Brilliants$50.00Oh My Peonies
Canary Brilliants$55.00Adelman
Canary Brilliants$60.00Brooks
Canary Brilliants$79.00Peony's Envy
Canary Brilliants$89.00Cricket Hill
Candy Cane$30.00Solaris Farms
Caroline Constabel$65.00Oh My Peonies
Chief Black Hawk€75.00Peony Shop Holland
Chief Black Hawk$85.00Brooks
Chief Black Hawk$100.00Swenson
Cora Louise$45.00Solaris Farms
Cora Louise$48.95Hidden Springs
Cora Louise$50.00Hollingsworth
Cora Louise$50.00Swenson
Cora Louise$60.00Adelman
Cora Louise$60.00Brooks
Cora Louise$60.00Oh My Peonies
Cora Louise$79.00Peony's Envy
Cora Louise$80.00Song Sparrow
Cora Louise$89.00Cricket Hill
Court Jester$45.00Solaris Farms
First Arrival$30.00Solaris Farms
First Arrival$40.00Swenson
First Arrival$50.00Brooks
First Arrival$50.00Oh My Peonies
First Arrival$57.00Fina
First Arrival$60.00Adelman
First Arrival$70.00Hollingsworth
First Arrival$79.00Peony's Envy
First Arrival$89.00Cricket Hill
First Arrival$100.00Song Sparrow
Garden Treasure€13.00Peony Shop Holland
Garden Treasure$30.00Solaris Farms
Garden Treasure$30.00Swenson
Garden Treasure$48.95Hidden Springs
Garden Treasure$50.00Adelman
Garden Treasure$50.00Brooks
Garden Treasure$50.00Hollingsworth
Garden Treasure$52.00Fina
Garden Treasure$70.00Song Sparrow
Garden Treasure$89.00Cricket Hill
Going Bananas$30.00Swenson
Going Bananas$50.00Hollingsworth
Going Bananas$50.00Song Sparrow
Gordon E. Simonson$110.00Hollingsworth
Gordon E. Simonson€125.00Peony Shop Holland
Gordon E. Simonson$130.00Solaris Farms
Gordon E. Simonson$150.00Swenson
Gordon E. Simonson$175.00Adelman
Hidden Treasure$30.00Solaris Farms
Hillary$30.00Solaris Farms
Hillary$40.00Swenson
Hillary$45.00Oh My Peonies
Hillary$50.00Adelman
Hillary$55.00Brooks
Hillary$55.00Fina
Hillary$48.95Hidden Springs
Hillary$89.00Cricket Hill
Joanna Marlene$50.00Swenson
Joanna Marlene$55.00Solaris Farms
Joanna Marlene$65.00Adelman
Joanna Marlene$75.00Fina
Julia Rose$30.00Solaris Farms
Julia Rose$60.00Brooks
Julia Rose$65.00Oh My Peonies
Julia Rose$70.00Hollingsworth
Julia Rose$75.00Adelman
Julia Rose$79.00Peony's Envy
Julia Rose$89.00Cricket Hill
Kopper Kettle$95.00Oh My Peonies
Kopper Kettle$99.00Adelman
Kopper Kettle$100.00Swenson
Lemon Dream$30.00Solaris Farms
Lemon Dream$30.00Swenson
Lemon Dream$35.00Adelman
Lemon Dream$45.00Fina
Lemon Dream$50.00Brooks
Little Darlin'€23.00Peony Shop Holland
Little Darlin'$50.00Song Sparrow
Lollipop$30.00Solaris Farms
Lollipop$40.00Swenson
Lollipop$42.00Fina
Lollipop$45.00Oh My Peonies
Lollipop$75.00Brooks
Love Affair$88.00Hollingsworth
Love Affair$99.00Adelman
Love Affair$100.00Brooks
Love Affair$120.00Solaris Farms
Luxuriant$80.00Solaris Farms
Luxuriant$125.00Brooks
Luxuriant$125.00Swenson
Magical Mystery Tour€27.00Peony Shop Holland
Magical Mystery Tour$55.00Solaris Farms
Magical Mystery Tour$65.00Adelman
Momo Taro (Peach Boy)$40.00Solaris Farms
Morning Lilac$50.00Swenson
Morning Lilac$65.00Adelman
Morning Lilac$75.00Oh My Peonies
Morning Lilac€75.00Peony Shop Holland
New Millennium$90.00Solaris Farms
New Millennium$100.00Swenson
New Millennium$135.00Adelman
New Millennium$150.00Oh My Peonies
Norwegian Blush$125.00Swenson
Old Rose Dandy$25.00Swenson
Old Rose Dandy$30.00Solaris Farms
Old Rose Dandy$39.95Hidden Springs
Old Rose Dandy$40.00Adelman
Old Rose Dandy$40.00Hollingsworth
Oochigeas€75.00Peony Shop Holland
Pastel Splendor$30.00Solaris Farms
Pastel Splendor$30.00Swenson
Pastel Splendor$39.95Hidden Springs
Pastel Splendor$42.00Fina
Pastel Splendor$45.00Adelman
Pastel Splendor$45.00Oh My Peonies
Pastel Splendor$50.00Song Sparrow
Pastel Splendor$89.00Cricket Hill
Peekaboo Flash€250.00Peony Shop Holland
Peppermint Blush$100.00Swenson
Prairie Charm$25.00Swenson
Prairie Charm$40.00Brooks
Prairie Charm$44.95Hidden Springs
Prairie Charm$45.00Oh My Peonies
Prairie Charm$80.00Song Sparrow
Purple Reign$200.00Swenson
Rosy Prospects$50.00Swenson
Royal Blush€45.00Peony Shop Holland
Royal Blush$50.00Swenson
Ruffled Flash€375.00Peony Shop Holland
Saffron Innocence$100.00Swenson
Scarlet Heaven$30.00Solaris Farms
Scarlet Heaven$40.00Adelman
Scarlet Heaven$79.00Peony's Envy
Scarlet Heights$100.00Swenson
Scrumdidleyumptious$79.00Peony's Envy
Sequestered Sunshine$30.00Solaris Farms
Sequestered Sunshine$65.00Oh My Peonies
Shining Light$45.00Oh My Peonies
Singing in the Rain€25.00Peony Shop Holland
Singing in the Rain$30.00Solaris Farms
Singing in the Rain$50.00Adelman
Singing in the Rain$50.00Oh My Peonies
Singing in the Rain$75.00Brooks
Smith Family Yellow$99.00Adelman
Sonoma Amethyst$30.00Solaris Farms
Sonoma Amethyst$60.00Adelman
Sonoma Amethyst$65.00Fina
Sonoma Apricot$30.00Solaris Farms
Sonoma Apricot$65.00Adelman
Sonoma Blessing$80.00Adelman
Sonoma By the Bay$115.00Solaris Farms
Sonoma Floozy$45.00Adelman
Sonoma Halo$200.00Solaris Farms
Sonoma Halo$260.00Adelman
Sonoma Rosy Future$55.00Solaris Farms
Sonoma Rosy Future$65.00Adelman
Sonoma Sun$40.00Adelman
Sonoma Surprise$150.00Adelman
Sonoma Velvet Ruby$30.00Solaris Farms
Sonoma Velvet Ruby$35.00Adelman
Sonoma Welcome$50.00Adelman
Sonoma Yedo€100.00Peony Shop Holland
Sonoma Yedo$300.00Adelman
Sonoma Yedo$325.00Solaris Farms
Strawberry Blush$125.00Swenson
Strawberry Blush$135.00Adelman
Sugar Plum Fairy$60.00Hollingsworth
Tonka Berry$150.00Swenson
Tonka Cloud$300.00Swenson
Tonka Extravaganza$250.00Swenson
Tonka Peach$250.00Swenson
Tonka Pink$175.00Swenson
Tonka Ruby$250.00Swenson
Unique$40.00Solaris Farms
Unique$45.00Adelman
Unique$50.00Brooks
Viking Full Moon$30.00Solaris Farms
Viking Full Moon$40.00Adelman
Viking Full Moon$40.00Hollingsworth
Watermelon Wine$60.00Swenson
Watermelon Wine$85.00Adelman
Watermelon Wine$89.00Cricket Hill
White Emperor$60.00Swenson
White Emperor$70.00Solaris Farms
Yankee Doodle Dandy€17.00Peony Shop Holland
Yankee Doodle Dandy$75.00Oh My Peonies
Yellow Crown$30.00Solaris Farms
Yellow Crown$55.00Oh My Peonies

Friday, January 3, 2020

2020 Southern Peony Happy New Year!


Southern Peony - Happy New Year!

Well, 2019 was definitely quite a year - a new job for me, a new job for my husband, a new teenager, a new kindergartener, new big girl and big boy beds (queen & twin), an extended visit from the in-laws, a trip to Yellowstone, and so much more. This year has definitely been an adventure and like every year has had its ups and downs, failures and successes, with a range of emotions in between. The most important thing to remember is to keep going! No matter what life brings you, it is always changing, expect the unexpected and look forward to each new day.

I haven't been on here in a while - at first because of time constraints and then because of computer constraints. I'm not sure the first constraint is fixed, but the second one is definitely fixed. My computer now has a new hard drive in it to help store all of my photos (so I can keep on taking them - and sharing them with all of you)! I am very grateful for each and every one of my peony friends and feel lucky to have another year to share in our love of the peony flower and growing it to its fullest potential. May each and every one of you be successful in your peony gardening pursuits this year!!!

Saturday, July 27, 2019

2019 Peonies & Butterflies

I didn't capture a ton of butterfly photos in the peony garden this year, but I did catch a couple. I thought it was fun to research this moth & butterfly to see what their names were. The black and white spotted one is a Mournful Thyris Moth, and the brown one with orange and white markings is a Spotted Skipper Butterfly. It was so nice to have them in the garden too. There were several other butterflies enjoying the peonies, but some of them were too fast for me to get a photo. (If you want to take a closer look at these, just click the photo and a larger version will appear.) If anyone else was able to capture some butterflies on their peonies this year, please share. I'd love to see them! :-)


Peony 'Pastelorama'
Mournful Thyris Moth


Intersectional Peony 'Morning Lilac'
Spotted Skipper Butterfly


Sunday, July 14, 2019

2019 Intersectional Peony Color Combinations


Intersectional Peonies 'Hillary' & 'Canary Brilliants'

I just wanted to share with you a few intersectional peony color combinations I captured during the bloom season this year (and no these are not on the same bush). These shots are on 2 different bushes that are planted next to each other. I don't want to get any of my varieties mixed up. So I always try to mix up the color combinations when planting my intersectional peonies out. Anyway when I saw these combinations in the garden, I just couldn't help but snap a shot of them. Some of them are complementary, some of them are contrasting, but any way you slice it they are all eye catching and gorgeous! I hope you enjoy!


Intersectional Peonies 'Sonoma Apricot' & 'Ballarena de Saval'


Intersectional Peonies 'Hillary' & 'Morning Lilac'


Intersectional Peonies 'Sonoma Apricot' & 'Ballarena de Saval'

Friday, July 12, 2019

2019 Intersectional Peony 'Sonoma Blessing' a Tiny Blessing


Intersectional Peony 'Sonoma Blessing'

I must say I was also impressed with Intersectional Peony 'Sonoma Blessing' this year! This was also its first year, and although it didn't match the bloom count on 2019 Intersectional Peony 'Magical Mystery Tour' Has 8 Blooms in First Year!, it actually did pretty well with 6 blooms in its first year. I really like the delicate pattern on the petals, a mixture of a pale pink petal with hot pink streaks! There's also some pretty hot pink flares in the center as well, that are kind of shaped like small rounded flower petals too. This plant seems to have a shorter stature as well (so far), making me think of this peony as a "tiny blessing"!


Intersectional Peony 'Sonoma Blessing'
First Round of Blooms

The "blessing" in this peony also seems to be another round of blooms. After the first set of blooms had faded, another set quickly began to open, almost coming back to life! I purchased this peony from Adelman Peony Gardens, and I must say I always get very sizable peony roots from them. So I'm sure that had something to do with this plant's wonderful first year performance! This peony's second set of blooms seem to open a bit lighter than the first set of blooms, giving the blooms a more of a peppermint look than the first set.


Intersectional Peony 'Sonoma Blessing'

From the 2019 Intersectional Peony Catalog Price Comparison List, it doesn't look like anyone is offering this variety this year, but from the 2018 Intersectional Peony Catalog Price Comparison List, it looks like both Adelmans and Solaris Farms both offered it for sale last year. So I would keep an eye out for their catalogs next year if you are interested in acquiring one of these petite beauties. It looks like this variety isn't registered with the American Peony Society. Hopefully it will be registered one day, though! It's too cute not to be! :-)


Intersectional Peony 'Sonoma Blessing'
Second Round of Blooms

Sunday, July 7, 2019

2019 Intersectional Peonies with Color Block Petals


Intersectional Peony 'Kopper Kettle'
with Color Block Petals

I could barely believe this eye-popping bloom on my Peony 'Kopper Kettle' plant this year, and it wasn't the only one. There were actually several blooms on my Intersectional Peony 'Kopper Kettle' with varying degrees of color separation, but this one was by far the most dramatic. Usually my Peony 'Kopper Kettle' is a fun mix of orange, yellow, and coral. This year it was much different. Some of the blooms were the normal color, but several were not. Peony 'Kopper Kettle' was also not the only intersectional peony with color block petals on some of its blooms in my garden this year. Peony 'Singing in the Rain' and Peony 'Lemon Dream' both also have color blocked petals this year. If you don't yet grow any intersectional peonies, this might be another reason to add some to your garden! Enjoy!!


Intersectional Peony 'Singing in the Rain'
with Color Block Petals


Intersectional Peony 'Kopper Kettle'
with Color Block Petals


Intersectional Peony 'Kopper Kettle'
with Color Block Petals


Intersectional Peony 'Kopper Kettle'
with Color Block Petals


Intersectional Peony 'Lemon Dream'
with Color Block Petals


Intersectional Peony 'Kopper Kettle'
with Color Block Petals


Intersectional Peony 'Kopper Kettle'
with Color Block Petals

Friday, July 5, 2019

2019 Intersectional Peony 'Magical Mystery Tour' Has 8 Blooms in First Year!


Intersectional Peony 'Magical Mystery Tour'

I must say I was really impressed with Intersectional Peony 'Magical Mystery Tour' this year! This was the very first growing year for me for this peony. I just planted it last fall 2018. So it was really a shock to me when this peony grew so large and had so many blooms on it the very first year! I don't think I've had any other peony grow so large and have so many bloom on it in its first year of growth. Sometimes I will get a first year bloom from the stored energy in the peony's root system, but that's just one bloom, maybe, but 8? That's just amazing!!! I can't wait to see what this Peony 'Magical Mystery Tour' does next year!


Intersectional Peony 'Magical Mystery Tour'

I actually got this peony from Solaris Farms. So maybe that says more about the vendor than the peony variety, but I'm thinking it is probably some of both. This intersectional variety seems to hold a lot of promise. I'm wondering if it will come close to the performance of my 2019 360° View of Intersectional Peony 'Keiko' 愛幕 (Adored) - 'Pink Double Dandy', one of the best performing intersectional peonies in my garden. This peony was hybridized by Don Smith, and he mentions it in my 2016 interview with him as one of his "oldies but goodies", 2016 Peony Hybridizer Interview - Don R. Smith (I had been trying to get my hands on one of them ever since!)


Intersectional Peony 'Magical Mystery Tour'

This peony actually goes through a range of colors, which seems to be appropriate as the name of the variety suggests not only that the hybridizer Don Smith is a fan of the Beatles, but that the peony goes through a rainbow like transformation during its bloom season fitting with the rainbow-like theme of the Magical Mystery Tour movie and album. The blooms of Intersectional Peony 'Magical Mystery Tour' open as a beautiful coral pink color, fading to a variety of coral peach and pinky cream tones over time. The blooms also have almost 2 rounds of blooming each year as well, as hybridizer Don Smith likes to select for extended bloom season in his varieties.


Intersectional Peony 'Magical Mystery Tour'

Right when you least expect it, a second set of blooms open on the plant. It's almost as if the entire plant reset itself for another round of blooming. The first set of blooms had completely finished, and then almost as if by surprise, another set of blooms begins to open like magic! It was so nice to see a whole other round of blooming after the first blooms had finished. It was like I got a bonus bloom season from this variety! I don't think I've ever seen any other peony plant behave quite that way. Maybe it was just the weather, but I'm guessing this one will extend it's bloom season again next year. Maybe it won't be in the exact same dramatic fashion as it was in its first bloom season, but I'm guessing it will be another "magical mystery tour"...


Intersectional Peony 'Magical Mystery Tour'

If you have not yet gotten a chance to purchase this variety, check out our 2019 Intersectional Peony Catalog Price Comparison List to see where it is available. It looks like it is sold out at Solaris Farms this year, as I don't see it on their web site anymore. However check back in January for our 2020 Intersectional Peony Catalog Price Comparison List to see which vendors will be offering it next year. Also there a lots of other great intersectional peonies still available for shipping this year. If you still have a few spots to fill, I'd definitely recommend an intersectional peony, they are just great growers (especially in the South)!


Intersectional Peony 'Magical Mystery Tour'


Intersectional Peony 'Magical Mystery Tour'


Intersectional Peony 'Magical Mystery Tour'

Saturday, June 22, 2019

2019 Questions - How to Grow Peonies in Zone 10A

I received this question from Roseann in zone 10A:

"Hello Adriana, I really enjoy your blog. Thank you so much for all the wonderful information. I would love to grow Herbaceous Peonies. I've tried once to grow three herbaceous ones, and none of them took. Do you have any advice for how I can grow them here in Southern California Zone 10A? Or if you even think that it's possible. I would really appreciate any advice and help you can give me."


USDA Growing Zones Map
How to Grow Peonies in Zone 10A

I have heard of people dumping ice on their peonies during winter in hotter growing zones, but I don't have a lot of specific information on how they did it (how often, how much ice, how many days/weeks/months?). Also that sounds like quite a bit of trouble to me to grow a flower. So I would probably not recommend that approach.

I would really recommend trying to grow an intersectional peony. They are a cross between an herbaceous peony and a tree peony, and they are able to grow in a bit warmer growing zones (just like their tree peony parents). Tree peonies may be another option if you are interested, but I really think intersectional peonies will be easier to grow. Intersectional peonies are grown on their own roots, while tree peonies are normally grafted and can take longer to become established (which may be hard to do in a challenging climate).

No matter which type of peony you choose (herbaceous or intersectional), I would recommend planting them very shallow. You want to cover the roots, but the pinkish "eyes" should be at ground level, and seeing them over winter is perfectly fine (even suggested in warmer growing zones). Those "eyes" need cool temperatures during the winter to set bud.

If you choose a tree peony, plant them deep. Their "eyes" or growth buds need to be buried beneath the soil. The deeper a tree peony is planted, the better. The roots of the plant should be deep in the soil, with the actual stem (woody) part of the peony planted 3-5 inches beneath the soil surface. This will (hopefully) allow the tree peony to start growing more of its own roots from the buried tree peony stem.

A great intersectional peony to try if you are interested is Intersectional Peony 'Bartzella', an American Peony Society Gold Medal Winner. It is a stellar performer for me, always loaded with buds and flowers, and the flowers are just gorgeous - bright, full double standout yellow blooms! You can get it for a decent price nowadays too (since it has been around for a while now). Check out my intersectional peony price list for places to buy it... 2019 Intersectional Peony Catalog Price Comparison List.

I hope this information helps, and I'd love to hear more about your garden in the future. Please keep me posted on how growing peonies works out for you!