2018 American Peony Society Convention in Portland, Oregon

Well, it's that time of year, time for the annual American Peony Society Convention, hosted this year in Portland, Oregon by the Pacific Northwest Peony Society. I can't wait to see what they've cooked up for us. I'm sure this is going to be a stellar convention since two of our awesome board members belong to the Pacific Northwest Peony Society. I am eager to see what Oregon is all about since I've never visited their state before. I've heard the peonies grow pretty large there and the weather is nice (unlike my current locale - San Francisco).
2018 American Peony Society Convention in Portland, Oregon
My connecting flight seems to have been cancelled due to "fog". I don't think I've ever had a flight cancelled for this reason before, but I guess it gives me enough time to write this quick update for everyone. I've been re-booked on two more flights now. Let's see if these are successful. Let's hope so. Due to this delay it seems I will miss the welcome dinner and silent auction. I hope everyone else is able to attend, enjoy a nice meal, and hopefully find a few things to bid on. Have fun!!!

2018 Peony Blooms - Week 6 Late

Well, with pretty much 2 weeks of no rain, and now the temperatures are starting to rise into the 90s, the peonies are finishing their season up fast. I don't think we'll have any new varieties opening in week 7 this year. Everything got condensed at the end due to the hot weather and lack of rain. We'll still have some side buds opening next week, but it will most likely be the end of our peony season here. There were still some very lovely blooms that opened this week, though. Peony 'Sorbet' and Peony 'Karl Rosenfield' are both old standbys that are very nice. Peony 'Douglas Brand' opened for the first time for me this year. He was not quite as 'red' as I expected him to be, but still a lovely shade of dark pink. Peony 'Prince of Darkness' bloomed for me for the first time in a long time, if ever. After growing him for almost 10 years, I finally moved him to a better location 2 years ago, and I love the dark purple pink color of his blooms! Peony 'Perfect Princess' bloomed for me for the first time this year as well. She is a recent acquisition and new introduction from Khlem's Song Sparre, and I must say I am really impressed so far. She does seem to need a bit of support, but with only 2 stems she was loaded with 7 huge blooms! Peony 'Myra MacRae' is one of our Southern Peony Best Performers. Peony 'Candy Stripe' really came into its own this year. A lovely striped bloom, with such a rounded, symmetrical form, very nice! Peony 'Vivid Rose' is getting larger each year in it's new location, and the blooms are so lovely and mesmerizing, I just couldn't stop tacking pictures of them!
Peony 'Sorbet'

Peony 'Douglas Brand'

Peony 'Prince of Darkness'

Peony 'Karl Rosenfield'

Peony 'Perfect Princess'

Peony 'Myra MacRae'

Peony 'Candy Stripe'

Peony 'Vivid Rose'

Happy Birthday! Peony Hybridizer Don Hollingsworth Turns 90!

Look Who's 90
Please join us as we celebrate DON HOLLINGSWORTH
So this happened! The birthday celebration took place was while I was on my trip to China, and a it's a bit of a hike from my neck of the woods anyway. So unfortunately I was not able to attend, but I wanted to wish Don a very Happy Birthday and share this awesome milestone with all of you in case you'd like to send him birthday greetings as well. Don is a person I admire for many reasons, his willingness to share his knowledge, his lifetime commitment to peonies and the American Peony Society, and his awesome longevity just to name a few. He is really an upstanding young man, and I can't wait to see what he has yet to accomplish. Happy (Belated) Birthday, Don!

2018 Intersectional Peony Blooms - Week 5 Late Mid

This was another full week of blooms for the intersectional peonies. Intersectional Peony 'Misaka' 美 (Beautiful Blossom) is always such a lovely shade of peach when it opens. I love the purple streaks in Intersectional Peony 'Lemon Dream' that make it so unique. Intersectional Peony 'Sugar Plum Fairy' bloomed for me the first time this year. Intersectional Peony 'Prairie Charm' has such a lovely form, and Intersectional Peony 'Sonoma Rosy Future' has quite a unique color of pink for an intersectional. Intersectional Peonies 'Cora Louise' and 'Garden Treasure' are both reliable garden stalwarts.
Intersectional Peony 'Misaka' 美 (Beautiful Blossom)

Intersectional Peony 'Lemon Dream'

Intersectional Peony 'Sugar Plum Fairy'

Intersectional Peony 'Prairie Charm'

Intersectional Peony 'Sonoma Rosy Future'

Intersectional Peony 'Cora Louise'

Intersectional Peony 'Garden Treasure'

2018 Peony Blooms - Week 5 Late Mid

The peonies were so lovely this week. We were in peak bloom this week for sure. There have been more flowers in the garden than any other week, or year for that matter. I think my garden has finally become the garden of my dreams this year. What a nice feeling! Peony 'Old Faithful' finally decided to increase again this year, and it was beautiful. Peony 'Topeka Garnet', a Southern Peony Best Performer from last year, performed even better this year, so amazing! Peony 'Cora Stubbs' and Peony 'White Cap' represented the anemone forms nicely this year, while Peony 'Seashell' and Peony 'Pink Princess' stood up for the singles. Peony 'Raspberry Clown' just amazes me with it colorful petals going in every direction, and Peony 'Guidon' is always a reliable perfomer, another Southern Peony Best Performer. I hope your peony bloom season is in full swing!
Peony 'Old Faithful'

Peony 'Topeka Garnet'

Peony 'Cora Stubbs'

Peony 'White Cap'

Peony 'Seashell'

Peony 'Pink Princess'

Peony 'Raspberry Clown'

Peony 'Guidon'