2018 Last Chance Peony Sale @ Hidden Springs Flower Farm

Hidden Springs Flower Farm Last Chance Peony Sale Order
If you did not notice yet, Hidden Springs Flower Farm just released their Last Chance Peony Sale list. I believe they put a sale list up every year at the end of the season, but you never know what's going to be on this list (or when it's going to come out). I think this is a great way to pull in a few extra orders at the end of the season, plus give people an opportunity to order peonies they may not have gotten the chance to order earlier. This year I decided to pick up three pink colored peonies - Peony 'Joker', Peony 'Juliska', and Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt'. I really love the picotee edge on the Peony 'Joker'. I've been seeing lots of photos of this one, and it has been on my "Want List". Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt' is a classic double light pink peony, which I don't grow well right now. So I'd like to give her a better place in the garden and a better chance to thrive.


Hidden Springs Flower Farm
Sells Peony 'Juliska' on Sale for $68.00!
However I think the real story here is Peony 'Juliska' on sale for $68.00! This peony was fetching $80-$100 a root last year, according to our 2017 Herbaceous Hot 100 Peony Catalog Price Comparison List. This is an even better price than the originator Solaris Farms sells it for this year ($75.00), according to our 2018 Herbaceous Hot 100 Peony Catalog Price Comparison List. This Peony 'Juliska' was hybridized by the late Bill Seidl and Nate Bremer (owner of Solaris Farms), a promising duo that have produced many advanced herbaceous and tree peony hybrids.


Hidden Springs Flower Farm
SOLD OUT Peony 'Bob' on Sale for $112.49!
And there's always the one that got away... The first peony I noticed and tried to put in my cart was Peony 'Bob', a rarely offered dark red, almost black peony. However the system told me it was already sold out, how disappointing. Well, I suppose there's always next year... Check out all of the Last Chance Sale offerings on the Hidden Springs Flower Farm list, you may find something you've been looking for!

2018 Peony Plant Markers from Kincaid Gardens

You've probably seen pictures of these in lots of my peony photos. They are the best garden markers I have ever found, Kincaid 100% Stainless Steel Plant Markers. I first found out about them from Hollingsworth Peonies, and I have been using them for over 10 years now. The original markers I purchased from them still look brand new. The only reason one of them ever gets messed up is if I get too close to it with the lawn mower (even then, only the plate is damaged). They do sell replacements stainless steel plates if you need them, but just stay away from them with the lawn mower, and you'll be fine. The one pictured here is actually an old one. Sometimes the markers outlast the plants!!!


Kincaid 100% Stainless Steel Plant Marker Nameplate
I just realized this week that I am totally out. I usually keep a few in the house in my desk drawer (which was empty) and the rest of them in my garage storage area. I figured I'd check the garage later and bring some more inside to my office, but when I did check the garage, I was fresh out. So I just placed a new order today to get a few more bundles. They've changed their web site around a bit since the last time I ordered, but their best plant markers are the "Signature Series". They're not cheap (about $1 per marker or so), but you can get a discount for buying in bulk. Also if you are a member of the American Peony Society, you are also eligible for an extra discount of $1 off per bundle. You just need to call Kincaid and tell them you saw their ad in the American Peony Society bulletin to get the discount code.


Kincaid 100% Stainless Steel Plant Marker
Their "Signature Series" plant markers are 100% stainless steel which does not rust, and they're made in the USA! I think I usually order the 15" length, but 12" or 10" would probably work okay too. I guess it depends how deep you want to push the stake into the ground and how high up from the ground you want the plant nameplate to be. Keep in mind that about 2.5" of the length will be holding the nameplate. If you're tired of wasting your money on garden plant markers that rust, break, snap, and disintegrate, then it may be time for you to invest in these garden markers. You will be so pleased with them for years to come!

2018 Song Sparrow 25% Off All Itoh Peonies

Klehm's Song Sparrow 25% Off Itoh Peonies
If you haven't seen this yet, this is awesome! Of all the years I've seen Klehm's Song Sparrow host a fall sale, they usually just select 5-10 specific peony varieties to put on sale (usually all herbaceous) or have a buy 2 get one free sale (herbaceous only). I don't think I've ever seen them put their Intersectional/Itoh peonies on sale, and to be able to just buy 1 or as many as you want and still get a discount - WOW! that's an awesome deal!! If you've been on the fence about whether to buy one of their gorgeous Itoh peonies, especially some of their just released new Intersectional offerings, 2018 Peony 'Pink Double Dandy' aka 'Keiko' for Sale at Song Sparrow (both of which are on sale!), then now's the time to take advantage of this great sale!

If you are thinking that Klehm's prices are higher for intersectional peonies than other vendors, 2018 Intersectional Peony Catalog Price Comparison List, well, they usually are. But here's a secret you may not know, Klehm's Song Sparrow grows all of their Intersectional (and Tree) peonies in pots. So you are actually purchasing a growing potted plant. This plant has a big advantage over any other intersectional peony you might buy from another vendor. It's like gaining an additional year (or two) of time for your Intersectional peony plant to increase in size, and the plants are usually larger than what you would get from planting just the root. Plus Intersectional/Itoh peonies grow great in the South. Intersectional peonies are such robust plants from their tree peony and herbaceous peony heritage - it's like the best of both worlds. I haven't grown one yet that wouldn't grow here!!

2018 Questions - Growing Peonies in the Deep South, Dealing with Fungus

I received this question from Ellery in zone 8a/9b:

"I was reaching out to see if there are any APS members with experience growing in the deep south. I garden in Thomasville, GA, and Tallahassee, FL (8A out in the country to maybe even a 9A microclimate in town), and have been experimenting for the past two years with peonies - P lactiflora, officinalis, cambessedessii, rockii, suffruticosa, as well as a variety of species from seed. Many of the plants are really hurting at this point. Some certainly have botrytis, others possibly phytophthora (though most are still potted, and in a very free-draining bark-based mix that I would not have thought conducive to phytophthora, but we have had rain literally almost every day this summer), but I just don't have the experience to diagnose for sure. General recommendations regarding sun exposure and other basic cultivation tips for this area would also be helpful."


Potted Peony Dealing with Fungus
I garden in the South, but I am in zone 7b. So just shy of your 8A. I'm noticing that you don't seem to have any Intersectional Hybrids. I would highly recommend trying these Itohs / Intersectional Peonies. They are a cross between a tree peony and herbaceous peonies, and they are quite vigorous and tolerate warm climates well. Peony 'Bartzella' a yellow variety is one of the best.

My web site also lists several varieties that grow well for me here under my "Best Performer" section... (intersectional, herbaceous, and tree)

No matter what peony you grow, all peonies will look ragged and worn by the now (the end of the season). Almost every peony I grow gets blight at some point in the season. It's just something I live with, since I don't like to spray chemicals. You could try experimenting with fungicides, but these are not a cure and would have to be sprayed every year on a regular basis to keep the fungal diseases at bay. That's all you are really doing is making the fungus less noticeable. It is always there in the environment. So I prefer to just live with it, try to grow cultivars that are vigorous enough to live with it, without succumbing to it / dying from it.

Some rockiis do well here and other don't. One I bought as a plant just died this winter with the bad thaw/freeze cycle we just had. However one of the plants I grew from seed was just fine and had two spectacular blooms on it this year. I don't grow too many species here, although I've tried to grow several from seed. None of them have really taken off besides p. rockii.

The easiest to grow tree peony (which has the hardiest roots as well), is Tree Peony 'White Phoenix'. It is also on my best performers page. It is a single white, but it grows larger with more blooms every year and the frosts this year did not affect it. The Chinese have grown this plant (from p. ostii) for thousands of years. They call it the Millennium Peony.

Also full sun is always best for herbaceous and intersectional peonies, while tree peonies can tolerate some shade. However for more blooms, more sun is always better. Also I would recommend trying to plant any of your potted peonies in the ground. Some of the varieties and species you are growing may not be suitable for your area. However I would definitely give some of our Southern Peony Best Performers a try, and if you need ideas on where to plant them check out our article on Top 5 Spots to Plant a Peony.

Hope that info helps!

2018 Top 5 Spots to Plant a Peony

Top 5 Spots to Plant a Peony
It's that time of year, peony planting season, and if you'd like to get your peonies off to a great start, planting them in the correct place will get them growing on their way to a bush full of blooms. For home gardeners, there are definitely places you can grow peonies that will keep them blooming year after year. These are usually 'prime' spots that get plenty of sunlight and adequate water too. Herbaceous peonies do not need shade no matter what growing zone you are in. The more shade peonies are grown in, the less blooms they have, period. So if you want more blooms and larger plants year after year, consider planting a peony (or several peonies!) in one of these prime locations (assuming these locations receive full sun in your yard). Also don't be disappointed if your peony doesn't look this good the first spring. All of these peonies have been growing in these locations for 2-3 (or more) years before looking this good! So with peonies, patience (and location, location, location) are key.

Near Your Deck or Patio

Peony 'Scarlet O'Hara' Growing Near the Deck
Peonies grow very well near decks and patios (as long as your deck or patio is in the sun). The extra water that runs off from the deck or patio benefits any plants that are growing nearby. Also having shaded ground near the peony helps to keep the soil temperatures a bit more stable, protecting the plant from extreme temperature swings. Decks and patios are great places to plant a peony, plus you can enjoy them up close from your own outdoor haven (and your outdoor lounge chair)!

Near Your Mailbox

Peony 'Festiva Maxima' Growing Beside the Mailbox
If anyone ever tells me that they can't grow a peony because they have shade everywhere in their yard, I usually suggest they try growing their peony near their mailbox. The roadside will usually provide enough sunlight for your peony to thrive, and the extra moisture that runs off the road will help your peony grow too! This is basically the spot for people with brown thumbs (at least with regards to peonies) who want to grow a peony, to plant it. If you've not had luck growing a peony anywhere else, try planting your peony beside your mailbox, and watch it take off! (Plus get ready for all the compliments and oogling from your neighbors!)

Near a Sidewalk

Peony 'Keiko' 愛幕 (Adored) 'Pink Double Dandy'
Growing Near the Sidewalk
Sunny sidewalks are the perfect place to grow a peony. The peonies love not having to compete with any trees or shrubs. So plant them along your driveway or up the sidewalk to your front door. Greet your guests and visitors with some big, bright peonies. They will give your friends and family a smile (and you too every time you come home). Planting them on a walkway gives you the chance to take a sniff every time you walk by.

Near Your House

Peony 'Lake o' Silver' and Peony 'Martha W.'
Growing Beside the House
Growing peonies next to your house is a perfect spot (as long as there are no trees next to your house). The sides of the house create a micro-climate for the peonies that is usually more moist (because of the rain runoff) and more stable in soil temperatures (because of the protection from the house). Instead of building your garden around the edges of your yard in, trying building it from the edges of your house out. You'll be surprised with the results! Growing your peonies near your house will give you larger and more abundant blooms than in drier parts of your yard that are too close to trees or shrubs.

Middle of the Yard

Peony Garden in the Middle of Yard
If none of those spots work for your yard because they are all already filled with trees, large shrubs, and too much shade, then it's time to cut down some trees!!! Okay, kidding aside (but that may be necessary for some), the default spot to plant a peony is right in the middle of your yard. Yes! Just take out a large patch of that grass you don't really want to mow anyway and convert it into a mulched planting bed. The peonies will be happy because they have no competition whatsoever, tons of sunlight, and a nice top dressing of mulch to keep their roots cool in the summer. Just keep in mind that no matter where you plant your peonies, it will take a few years for them to become established, but the wait will be worth it!!! Happy Peony Planting!