In The Garden
Peonies By Brenda Powell
There’s just something about peonies that sets my heart afire. Perhaps it’s their huge, showy bloom, interesting fragrance or excellence as a cut flower. Maybe it is the nostalgia. It is a flower that I associate with my parents and Memorial Day. We would make our way to the cemetery, large pails filled with peonies, bearded iris, ferns, and daisies. It was a cheerful time actually, assembling the arrangements and remembering my grandparents and great-grandparents. Later in life my dad picked a huge bouquet of dark red peonies to go in the gigantic glass vase in the family room. The scent filled the air. I don’t know when I fell in love with them, but it may date back to looking through the catalog photos when I ordered perennials for the nursery. I didn’t know how many different kinds existed. The beautiful photos drew me in and made me want them all. Even though I inherited a half dozen plus peony plants when I moved onto my parent’s farm, I had to supplement with my favorites, so now I have a dozen at least. The problem is, I want more. All this plant lust for a flower that blooms for a short period of time. Peonies are exuberant, in your face, and flashy. I am not. I think that’s why I love them. Peony basics: Neutral ph. Don’t plant too deep; the eyes should be closer to the soil surface. They prefer well-drained soil. Fertilize with a rose, bulb, or perennial fertilizer. Full sun for herbaceous types and part shade for the trees. They may be dug up and divided in early autumn, making sure to have 2-3 eyes per division.
"Later in life my dad picked a huge bouquet of dark red peonies to go in the gigantic glass vase in the family room. The scent filled the air."
Brenda Powell • GARDENING
PROFESSIONAL HELP: Tips from local leaders in their industry
There are several different types. Tree peonies are native to Asia and have papery flowers, generally single. The plant forms a woody structure, yearly new growth comes off of that, capped by the delicate looking flowers. They grow to 4 feet in height. Do not cut back the woody portion. Herbaceous peonies. Originated in China and were introduced to Europe in 1784. They like full sun and die back to the ground each year. Cut back those dead stalks in the fall and get rid of them to prevent botrytis infection. In the herbaceous peonies there are 4 main types of flowers: single, semi-double, double (which includes bomb type), and Japanese (aka Anemone) Itoh peonies (aka intersectional) are newer to the trade. They are a cross between the herbaceous type and the tree type. The foliage and flowers look more like tree peonies to me, but they are very showy and usually double. I must admit to being partial to the Japanese type but the doubles are the prettiest in bouquets I think. Here are my favorites: Bowl of Beauty: Pink and white, fragrant, Japanese. Coral Charm: Semi-double in a beautiful coral color. Edulis Superba: Fragrant, pink double. Felix Crousse: Raspberry red bomb type. Festiva Maxima: Fragrant, white, double with crimson flecks Cora Louise Itoh: White with lavender flares. Lightly fragrant.
Brenda
Brenda Powell is a fourth generation owner of Garland Nursery in Corvallis.
www.GarlandNursery.com
Follow her writing at garlandnursery.wordpress.com
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