Tree peonies (P. suffruticosa) have flowers that are so large and layered that they don't seem quite real to me. Like "dinnerplate" dahlias, their size has rendered them useless as an integral part of a garden or a bouquet. They steal the show in both instances.
The old-fashioned peonies (P. lactiflora) that have been growing at my house for the last 50 years have been shaded out by the tree canopy. That's less of a problem for me since I've started growing woodland or species peonies, which flower before the trees leaf out. At the other end of the peony season is my Itoh or intersectional hybrid peony, 'Border Charm,' which just finished blooming this week — done in by high temps and rain.
These plants are the "result of crossing tree peonies, which have woody stems, and herbaceous peonies, which die back to the ground in winter," according to Klehm's Song Sparrow catalog; the source of my plant. The result of this cross-breeding is that Itoh peonies have the flowers and foliage of tree peonies but die back each year like the herbaceous peonies. The whole plant also tends to be hardier and smaller in stature.
'Border Charm,' for example is a compact plant that only gets about 24" in both height and width. Mine has certainly achieved that in the four years I've had it in the garden. Because of their smaller size, Itoah peonies can easily be incorporated into a perennial border; though I have mine growing as a specimen under a Ginkgo tree near the pond.
The Klehm catalog describes the flowers on 'Border Charm' as single, nodding blooms. I would say they have a layer or more of petals but tend to remain cup-shaped with a dramatic center (above). The flowers don't open out as much as some peonies and definitely not as much as traditional tree peonies. Until this year — when the first flower to open showed its parentage (below). Whether it was the result of the age of the plant or the long cool Spring or a fluke, I can't say. The other flowers all fell prey to the weather before they had a chance to open wider than usual. So I have to wait until next year to see how they all perform.
When I bought my 'Border Charm' peony in 2005, Klehm was selling it for $45.00; now it's down to $39.95 for a 3-4-year-old plant. But that's a steal compared to the price of many of the Itoh peonies which cost up to $90 in the Klehm Song Sparrow catalog. On the other hand, Roger Anderson, an Itoh breeder from Fort Atkinson, has a new one going for $250, while Plant Delights Nursery is offering his introduction — 'Bartzella' — for $150.
A $250 peony...WOW. I would just like to look at such a plant.
Posted by: Lisa at Greeenbow | Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 06:55 AM
These photos are stunning. I love tree peonies and have seen the hybrids. Unfortunately I do not have room in my small garden to grow something that is so fleeting in its bloom time, no matter how stunning they are. The next garden will be bigger.
Posted by: Les | Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 04:16 PM
Lisa — the prices for new introductions are pretty amazing. I am guessing it's based on how long it takes to get enough to sell and the status factor, too.
Les — this is my bigger garden. In another week or so, it will be totally green until the fall. I am not that into length of bloom. In fact, I'm getting exhausted by all this visual stimulation!
Posted by: LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD | Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 06:39 PM
Peonies are so beautiful. I believe Zelda Fitzgerald used to wear one in her hair. I notice there is a trend for brides to have the standard peonies is bouquets this summer.
Posted by: Nicola | Friday, July 03, 2009 at 02:03 PM
Nicola — I had not read that about Zelda; but given her propensity to be fashionable and to stand out in a crowd, it doesn't surprise me.
Posted by: LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD | Sunday, July 05, 2009 at 04:53 PM