Cool weather bonus

We've had a number of cool and cloudy days recently with temps below normal. I should be complaining but the cool temperatures have kept my Paeonia rockii from exploding into bloom and instantly fading. Every day for almost a week I've been able to watch these spectacular flowers open slowly.

They close when it cools down and then nicely perform the next day when the sun comes out for a while. The above photo was taken on Saturday afternoon. Here it is (below) on Wednesday — a full five days later and the flowers are still perfect.

This Peony is six years old and did not bloom last year as it had significant dieback from the winter. This year it came back beautifully and is loaded with flowers. When I say the blooms are spectacular you can see what I mean since they are larger than my hand.

When I bought it from the late Seneca Hill Perennials, it was as a seedling that was expected to be pink like its parents with dark blotches. It turned out to be pure white. 

The first time it bloomed I realized I never would have been happy with flowers this large that were pink. I think they are perfect without the blotch as well. Since it was a seedling it doesn't have a name. In memory of its origin, I call it 'Seneca Hill Snowstorm' which also alludes to its color and the snowy area where the nursery was located.

Comments

[Kristin]

It's lovely! We had yesterday free, and my uncle suggested we go to Olbrich. It was a great idea, and they had some lovely tree peonies blooming...along with plenty of other beauties.

[jenny]

Your hand in the photograph really put that flower in perspective. What an enormous beauty. It reminds me very much of the prickly poppy flower.

[Linda from Each Little World]

Kristin —​Olbrich always seems to look good but it must have been gorgeous at this time of year. I was there a few weeks ago when the Crabapples trees were blooming.

[Linda from Each Little World]

Jenny — It is somewhat like that flower.

[Loree / danger garden]

Weather that helps our treasured blooms last is certainly a bonus! That one's a beauty.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

That thing is HUGE and quite beautiful. Worth watching.

[Beth @ PlantPostings]

Oh yes, that's a beauty! I've noticed many blooms are lasting a good long time this spring. I'm so glad we didn't have any damage from the freeze/frost. I feel so bad about Wollersheim Winery losing so much of its grape crop.

[Linda from Each Little World]

Beth — ​I know what you mean. Even if we lose plants it is not our livelihood that is harmed. I am always so concerned for farmers etc. when we have these temperature swings.