Peony presence

Paeonia mairei is ignoring our very chilly nights and making a beautiful show with shiny, bronze-tinged foliage and bright red buds. Everything I've read suggests this is one of the earliest species Peonies and the presence of these fat buds certainly seems to suggest the truth of that information.

My other woodland and species Peonies are all up at least a few inches but none have visible buds like this. I planted P. mairei in the fall of 2013 and then had to move it a year later to a more shady location. In the meantime the black walnut tree providing most of the shade it wants was cut down. Luckily I have my new Peony umbrella should she need a little afternoon protection.  

 

John Grimshaw mentions on his blog that this Peony comes up so early that you can surround it with early bulbs. Once I see the color of the flowers I will have to think about what might work with it. Tulipa humilis 'Odalisque' strikes me as a definitely possibility.

Comments

[rusty duck]

I'm feeling pretty chuffed because I have flower buds on a peony I moved last year. Whether they will come to anything remains to be seen.
But peony buds mean Spring to me, I hope yours continues to resist the bad weather.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

I think this is amazing for your area. My peony tree has three buds on it. The poor thing got moved a couple of weeks ago. I probably should have cut off the buds so it could work on getting established again. I just read elsewhere that they don't like to be moved. Hmmmm We will see.

[Linda from Each Little World]

​Lisa — One of my regular "Mother's Day" peonies got dug up and plunked in a bucket for the summer last year while the driveway project was underway. Replanted it last fall and it's coming up. So I think they can take more abuse than we think.

[Beth @ PlantPostings]

Oh, now that's exciting! I haven't checked my Peonies--they're under several layers of leaf mulch. I guess I'd better check tomorrow. I have noticed Mayapples, Rhubarb, and Virginia Bluebells farther along than I would have expected with this cool weather. Early bulbs planted around your Peonies would be lovely.