Friday, April 27, 2018

2018 Intersectional Peony Blooms - Week 3 Early Mid

The intersectional peonies are just barely getting started this week. So only a few varieties have opened so far. Intersectional Peony 'First Arrival' is aptly names since it blooms early in the intersectional peony bloom season. It is usually one of the first intersectional peonies to open. Intersectional Peony 'Takara' is very exotic, with complex coloring in shades of pink, with the petal edges appearing a bit darker than the centers, and the center of the flower containing a dark raspberry colored flare. Intersectional Peony 'Watermelon Wine' bloomed for the first time for me this year, and it is a lovely shade of pinky red, much darker than an actual watermelon, with almost matching, but a bit darker flares in the center of the bloom.

Intersectional Peony 'First Arrival'


Intersectional Peony 'Takara'


Intersectional Peony 'Watermelon Wine'

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

2018 Peony Blooms - Week 3 Early Mid

Pretty much the last of the tree peonies are blooming this week. Tree Peony 'Koukamon' 皇嘉門 (Floral Gate) bloomed for the first time for me this year, and I can't believe how dark purple it is, just beautiful! Peony 'Seraphim' and Peony 'Coral Charm' are reliable bloomers and both Southern Peony Best Performers. Peony 'Golden Frolic' and Peony 'Prairie Moon' are both delicate pastel beauties. It is always nice to see them light up the garden, and the honey bees just love peony 'Golden Folic'! We've had a pretty good start to the peony bloom season this year. I'm a little sad to be missing part of it during my trip to China, but I'm hoping it's worth it! I hope your peony bloom seasons are all well under way and going well or are starting soon (if you're more North than South!). :-)

Peony 'Seraphim'


Tree Peony 'Koukamon' 皇嘉門 (Floral Gate)


Peony 'Paladin'


Peony 'Golden Frolic'


Peony 'Coral Charm'


Peony 'Prairie Moon'

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

2018 Tree Peony 'Angel Emily' Best Performer - Week 3

I do not cease to be amazed by this tree peony. I used to not really like tree peonies all that much, but I have to credit this one with changing my mind. Tree Peony 'Angel Emily' is a dream plant. It has wonderful vigor, increasing in size and blooms every year. Its bloom buds withstand our late freezes, and the color of the flower just blows your mind. This tree peony was hybridized by Bill Seidl and registered jointly by Bill and Nate Bremer in 2013. I missed being able to purchase it in 2013, but by 2014, I was ready to hunt it down. The pictures of this full grown plant on Solaris Farms' web site called to me! The semi-double flowers are a beautiful shade of lavender with just a hint of pink. The petals are large and ruffled, the center of which emanates a dark purple flare. If you missed your chance to purchase this one again this year (it is already sold out for 2018), make sure to put it on your 2019 peony purchase list!
Tree Peony 'Angel Emily'
Southern Peony Best Performer

Tree Peony 'Angel Emily'
Southern Peony Best Performer

Tree Peony 'Angel Emily'
Southern Peony Best Performer