First Edition Manual of the American Peony Society on Ebay
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
2014 American Peony Society Handbook on Ebay
I got an email this morning about an Ebay auction listing for the Manual of the American Peony Society from 1928. I purchased a copy of the Manual of the American Peony Society First Edition for myself last year, and I'm almost done reading it. There are a few boring parts - like several long lists of plant names. I must admit I skipped those parts. However there is quite a lot of interesting information on the history of peonies and the American Peony Society in the book. There are also several beautiful prints as well. The listing on Ebay has an opening bid of $15 with free shipping! This particular copy of the book was previously held in a library and appears to have some permanent ink on the spine that identified its location inside the library. Other than that it seems to be in good condition - better condition than my copy. I paid more than $30 for the copy I bought last year, and the binding is separately from the spine on my copy. So my copy is in quite sad shape. If you are looking to pick up a decent copy of the 1st Edition of the Manual of the American Peony Society, now may be an opportune time for you to place a bid on it. :-) Good luck!
First Edition Manual of the American Peony Society on Ebay
First Edition Manual of the American Peony Society on Ebay
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
2014 Peonies on Ice
Ice Coating on Tree Branches
When I awoke yesterday morning, everything was covered in a thin layer of ice. This has been a particularly long and cold winter for us this year. Tomorrow is the first day of spring, and winter just wanted to make sure we knew it wasn't over yet! We've already had a couple of 70 degree days (on the weekends usually - thank goodness), but they have been rare. This weekend we should have another 70 degree day, and I can't wait. Luckily yesterday was very cloudy all day so the sun shouldn't have caused any frost damage to the foliage.
Peony 'Li Yuan Chun' with a Coating of Ice
As you can see there are already a couple of swelling buds on this tree peony since the last time I photographed it in February - 2014 First Signs of (Tree Peony) Life). Even the peony sign has a layer of ice on it. I'm not sure how much longer it will be until this tree peony blooms, but I am ready for it. I can't wait to see its blooms for the first time. Come on spring!!!
Peony Sign 'Li Yuan Chun' with a Coating of Ice
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
2014 Peony Seedling Plastic Label Failure
When I went outside a couple weeks ago I noticed something strange with some of my peony seedling labels... They were all on the ground. Apparently these plastic labels are too lightweight and could not withstand the constant freezing and thawing of the ground here. I guess that's a valuable lesson learned. I won't know the parent name for of all of the Chinese peony seedlings that I so carefully labeled and had my Chinese husband translate for me. What a waste! Well I guess I'll stick to the tried and true steel and copper plant labels that I've been using since 2007. These have never been heaved from the ground like these plastic plant labels! Too bad I never got around to putting these on my peony seedling map... I guess if any of them turn out to be worthwhile seedlings, they'll get a new name anyway! It would have been nice to know their heritage, though, assuming they were labeled correctly in the first place.
Plastic Peony Seedling Labels
Copper and Steel Peony Seedling Labels
Plastic Peony Seedling Labels
Copper and Steel Peony Seedling Labels
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
2014 Chinese Tree Peony Seeds Starting to Sprout
At the suggestion of one of my readers, I decided to check my Chinese tree peony seeds to see if they had started sprouting. Sure enough, they had! A couple of them are just starting to push through. So it's definitely a bit early to get a count for the germination rate. I'll have to wait a little longer to see how many actually sprout. The only ones that are starting to sprout so far are the Chinese Peony Seeds from Ebay that I planted on 3/15/2013. There are 6 different colors of the Chinese tree peony seeds that I bought on Ebay, which came labeled as P1-P6, and only 2 of them are sprouting now - P3 Blue & P4 Green. So there are 4 other types/colors of these tree peony seeds that have not yet sprouted. None of the Chinese tree peony seeds I purchased from Ali Express and planted on 4/1/2013 have started to sprout yet. So I will have to check on those Chinese tree peony seeds again later.
Chinese Tree Peony P3 Blue Seeds from Ebay Sprouting
Chinese Tree Peony P4 Green Seeds from Ebay Sprouting
Chinese Tree Peony P3 Blue Seeds from Ebay Sprouting
Chinese Tree Peony P4 Green Seeds from Ebay Sprouting
Friday, February 28, 2014
2014 First Signs of (Tree Peony) Life
Tree Peony 'Li Yuan Chun'
Well even though it doesn't quite feel like spring yet, and it is still February, I am starting to see the first signs of life on some of my tree peonies (including some of the very cheap sticks / Tree Peonies I Planted from China!) I can't believe how much one of the more mature and Expensive Tree Peonies from a tree peony farm here in the US, Tree Peony Garden, has already started to grow. I'm guessing this one will have at least one blossom this year (or maybe more), and I can't wait to see its lovely pink flower. Also 3 of the Tree Peonies from China via Ali Express are already showing signs of life via tiny red buds originating at their base. I planted most of these as deep as possible hoping they would develop their own roots and prevent any possible grafted roots from sprouting. So we'll see when their leaves open whether these are tree peony sprouts or herbaceous peony sprouts.
Sprouting Tree Peony from China via Ali Express
Sprouting Tree Peony from China via Ali Express
Sprouting Tree Peony from China via Ali Express
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
2014 Intersectional Peony Catalog Price Comparison List
So. I really like intersectional peonies (also known as Itoh peonies). I've collected quite a few of them, but I definitely do not have them all (especially some of the more expensive varieties). So I've been keeping my eye on their prices, and they have been coming down in price as they become more common in the marketplace. I created a spreadsheet with all of the available varieties for 2014 from nurseries that specialize in peonies. I haven't ordered from all of these vendors, so I can't speak for their quality or reliability, but I thought this might be helpful information for other gardeners out there looking to collect intersectional peonies as well or maybe just add the first one to your garden. Also if you have your heart set on a particular variety, get your order in early, because some of these will sell out (and some of them already have)! 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.)
Intersectional Peony | Price | Vendor |
Al's Choice | $75.00 | Brooks |
Ballarena de Saval | $70.00 | Adelman |
Bartzella | $45.00 | Solaris Farms |
Bartzella | $60.00 | Fina |
Bartzella | $60.00 | Swenson |
Bartzella | $75.00 | Brooks |
Bartzella | $75.00 | Buck Canyon |
Bartzella | $79.00 | Peony's Envy |
Bartzella | $79.99 | Hidden Springs |
Bartzella | $80.00 | Adelman |
Bartzella | $80.00 | Hollingsworth |
Bartzella | $85.00 | Birchwood |
Bartzella | $90.00 | Song Sparrow |
Bartzella | $99.00 | Cricket Hill |
Bartzella | C$150.00 | Blossom Hill |
Berry Garcia | $125.00 | Brooks |
Border Charm | $35.00 | Swenson |
Border Charm | $40.00 | Adelman |
Border Charm | $44.00 | Hollingsworth |
Border Charm | $45.00 | Birchwood |
Border Charm | $60.00 | Song Sparrow |
Callie's Memory | $75.00 | Solaris Farms |
Callie's Memory | $75.00 | Swenson |
Callie's Memory | C$130.00 | Blossom Hill |
Canary Brilliants | $60.00 | Swenson |
Canary Brilliants | $70.00 | Adelman |
Canary Brilliants | $70.00 | Brooks |
Canary Brilliants | $79.00 | Peony's Envy |
Canary Brilliants | $90.00 | Solaris Farms |
Chief Black Hawk | $225.00 | Brooks |
Chief Black Hawk | $350.00 | Swenson |
Copper Kettle | $80.00 | Solaris Farms |
Copper Kettle | $150.00 | Swenson |
Cora Louise | $60.00 | Adelman |
Cora Louise | $60.00 | Birchwood |
Cora Louise | $60.00 | Brooks |
Cora Louise | $60.00 | Buck Canyon |
Cora Louise | $60.00 | Swenson |
Cora Louise | $74.95 | Hidden Springs |
Cora Louise | $79.00 | Peony's Envy |
Cora Louise | $99.00 | Cricket Hill |
Court Jester | $60.00 | Swenson |
First Arrival | $45.00 | Solaris Farms |
First Arrival | $60.00 | Adelman |
First Arrival | $60.00 | Brooks |
First Arrival | $60.00 | Swenson |
First Arrival | $75.00 | Buck Canyon |
First Arrival | $125.00 | Bannister |
First Arrival | C$130.00 | Blossom Hill |
Garden Treasure | $40.00 | Solaris Farms |
Garden Treasure | $55.00 | Fina |
Garden Treasure | $60.00 | Swenson |
Garden Treasure | $65.00 | Buck Canyon |
Garden Treasure | $68.00 | Birchwood |
Garden Treasure | $69.99 | Hidden Springs |
Garden Treasure | $80.00 | Adelman |
Garden Treasure | $80.00 | Bannister |
Garden Treasure | $80.00 | Brooks |
Garden Treasure | $84.00 | Hollingsworth |
Garden Treasure | $89.00 | Peony's Envy |
Garden Treasure | $99.00 | Cricket Hill |
Going Bananas | $40.00 | Adelman |
Going Bananas | C$130.00 | Blossom Hill |
Hidden Treasure | $35.00 | Solaris Farms |
Hillary | $50.00 | Adelman |
Hillary | $50.00 | Brooks |
Hillary | $50.00 | Swenson |
Hillary | $60.00 | Buck Canyon |
Hillary | $60.00 | Fina |
Hillary | $64.95 | Hidden Springs |
Hillary | $75.00 | Solaris Farms |
Hillary | C$130.00 | Blossom Hill |
Japanese Itoh | $35.00 | Swenson |
Joanna Marlene | $80.00 | Adelman |
Joanna Marlene | $100.00 | Swenson |
Julia Rose | $50.00 | Swenson |
Julia Rose | $75.00 | Adelman |
Julia Rose | $75.00 | Brooks |
Julia Rose | $75.00 | Solaris Farms |
Julia Rose | C$130.00 | Blossom Hill |
Kaleidoscope | $75.00 | Buck Canyon |
Kaleidoscope | $75.00 | Swenson |
Kaleidoscope | $90.00 | Brooks |
Kaleidoscope | $125.00 | Hidden Springs |
Kopper Kettle | $99.00 | Adelman |
Lafayette Escadrille | $60.00 | Song Sparrow |
Lemon Dream | $44.00 | Buck Canyon |
Lemon Dream | $45.00 | Adelman |
Lemon Dream | $45.00 | Solaris Farms |
Lemon Dream | $50.00 | Brooks |
Lemon Dream | $50.00 | Swenson |
Lemon Dream | $79.00 | Peony's Envy |
Little Darlin | $60.00 | Birchwood |
Little Darlin | $60.00 | Song Sparrow |
Lollipop | $75.00 | Solaris Farms |
Love Affair | $156.00 | Hollingsworth |
Luxuriant | $175.00 | Brooks |
Maroon Dragon Claw | $89.00 | Cricket Hill |
Momo Taro (Peach Boy) | $45.00 | Solaris Farms |
Morning Lilac | $64.00 | Buck Canyon |
Morning Lilac | $70.00 | Adelman |
Morning Lilac | $70.00 | Brooks |
Morning Lilac | $100.00 | Swenson |
New Millennium | $120.00 | Solaris Farms |
New Millennium | $250.00 | Swenson |
Old Rose Dandy | $35.00 | Swenson |
Old Rose Dandy | $44.95 | Hidden Springs |
Old Rose Dandy | $45.00 | Adelman |
Old Rose Dandy | $45.00 | Solaris Farms |
Old Rose Dandy | $89.00 | Cricket Hill |
Pastel Splendor | $35.00 | Solaris Farms |
Pastel Splendor | $35.00 | Swenson |
Pastel Splendor | $45.00 | Adelman |
Pastel Splendor | $47.95 | Hidden Springs |
Pastel Splendor | $70.00 | Song Sparrow |
Pastel Splendor | C$80.00 | Blossom Hill |
Prairie Charm | $35.00 | Swenson |
Prairie Charm | $50.00 | Birchwood |
Prairie Charm | $50.00 | Brooks |
Prairie Charm | $54.95 | Hidden Springs |
Prairie Charm | $60.00 | Bannister |
Prairie Charm | $60.00 | Hollingsworth |
Prairie Charm | $65.00 | Song Sparrow |
Rosy Prospects | $99.00 | Adelman |
Rosy Prospects | $99.00 | Brooks |
Rosy Prospects | $200.00 | Swenson |
Royal Blush | $150.00 | Swenson |
Saffron Innocence | $200.00 | Swenson |
Scarlet Heaven | $35.00 | Swenson |
Scarlet Heaven | $40.00 | Adelman |
Scarlet Heaven | $45.00 | Solaris Farms |
Scarlet Heaven | $79.00 | Peony's Envy |
Scarlet Heaven | C$80.00 | Blossom Hill |
Scarlet Heaven | $89.00 | Cricket Hill |
Sequestered Sunshine | $45.00 | Solaris Farms |
Sequestered Sunshine | $75.00 | Swenson |
Shining Light | $35.00 | Swenson |
Singing in the Rain | $125.00 | Brooks |
Sonoma Amethyst | $65.00 | Adelman |
Sonoma Amethyst | $65.00 | Buck Canyon |
Sonoma Amethyst | $75.00 | Solaris Farms |
Sonoma Apricot | $80.00 | Adelman |
Sonoma Blessing | $80.00 | Adelman |
Sonoma Floozy | $80.00 | Adelman |
Sonoma Halo | $350.00 | Adelman |
Sonoma Rosy Future | $125.00 | Adelman |
Sonoma Rosy Future | $150.00 | Solaris Farms |
Sonoma Sun | $80.00 | Adelman |
Sonoma Velvet Ruby | $80.00 | Adelman |
Sonoma Welcome | $75.00 | Adelman |
Sonoma Yedo | $200.00 | Solaris Farms |
Unique | $48.00 | Buck Canyon |
Unique | $50.00 | Swenson |
Unique | $60.00 | Adelman |
Viking Full Moon | $40.00 | Solaris Farms |
Viking Full Moon | $40.00 | Swenson |
Viking Full Moon | $44.95 | Hidden Springs |
Viking Full Moon | $45.00 | Adelman |
Viking Full Moon | $110.00 | Song Sparrow |
Watermelon Wine | $150.00 | Adelman |
White Emperor | $150.00 | Swenson |
Yellow Crown | $45.00 | Solaris Farms |
Yellow Dream | $100.00 | Brooks |
Yellow Emperor | $40.00 | Swenson |
Yellow Emperor | $55.00 | Solaris Farms |
Yellow Heaven | $90.00 | Brooks |
Saturday, February 1, 2014
2014 Tree & Herbaceous Peonies in the Snow
Wow! This is a rare year for us. It snowed 4 days ago, and the snow is still here. We got about 3-4 inches of snow! Usually we have either no snow or only an inch that melts away by the very next day if not the same day. The weatherman was actually pretty accurate about the snow totals this time (just not the timing). The snow came about 6 hours later than they originally predicted - which caused some unnecessary school closings. My daughter was out of school Tuesday - Friday! We had lots of fun in the snow - going for a walk, sledding, and making snow angels.
Snow Forecast for NC
While I was out there I snapped a few pictures of my peonies in the snow. We got so much snow this time, the peony signs that stick up out of the ground were almost completely covered! Since the herbaceous peonies were buried, I took a few pictures of the tree and intersectional peonies in the snow since these are the only ones visible above the snow line. I know the snow is good for the herbaceous peonies since their buds are below ground and they need the chilling hours, but I'm not so sure how much the intersectional and tree peony buds appreciate the snow. I guess we'll find out in the spring. All of the tree peony buds are above ground and several of the intersectional buds are too, since I don't trim my intersectional peonies all the way back to the ground. :-)
Tree Peony 'Fragrant Jade' in Snow
Tree Peony 'Li Yuan Chun' in Snow
Intersectional Peony 'Bartzella' in Snow
Snow Forecast for NC
While I was out there I snapped a few pictures of my peonies in the snow. We got so much snow this time, the peony signs that stick up out of the ground were almost completely covered! Since the herbaceous peonies were buried, I took a few pictures of the tree and intersectional peonies in the snow since these are the only ones visible above the snow line. I know the snow is good for the herbaceous peonies since their buds are below ground and they need the chilling hours, but I'm not so sure how much the intersectional and tree peony buds appreciate the snow. I guess we'll find out in the spring. All of the tree peony buds are above ground and several of the intersectional buds are too, since I don't trim my intersectional peonies all the way back to the ground. :-)
Tree Peony 'Fragrant Jade' in Snow
Tree Peony 'Li Yuan Chun' in Snow
Intersectional Peony 'Bartzella' in Snow