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| Pretty Peonies |
| More voluptuous than roses and daintier than hydrangeas, these blooms ignite gardeners' passion |
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(Photo: Lisa Hubbard) |
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'Coral Charm'
(Photo: Courtesy of Lori Jones) |
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'Gay Paree'
(Photo: Courtesy of Lori Jones) |
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by Dawn P. Cannon
They're every gardener's dream. Peonies in the garden can easily last 50 years or more. Today, that's considered an heirloom, but their longevity is precisely what made them fall out of favor in 17th-century England. Wealthy aristocrats thought a plant that would last a lifetime was vulgar and common. No self-respecting gardener would even consider growing a "poor man's flower." Lucky for us, some poor man toiled away and introduced more and more spectacular selections, and the love affair with peonies continues.
Southerners find peonies a bit tricky in the garden. But certain selections will tolerate our mild winters, and peonies will grow as far south as Jackson, Mississippi, and Columbus, Georgia. The key to growing peonies successfully in the South is in the planting. "The real secret is that the eyes of the peony can't be very deep," says André Viette of André Viette Farm & Nursery in Virginia. "What some people do is plant the peony at the right depth -- 2 to 2 1/2 inches -- but then they come along and mulch it with 3 inches. You don't want to mulch over the crown of the peony." Choose a spot in full sun or, in hotter areas, light shade. The flowers might not bloom the first year, but be patient. After all, you'll have years to enjoy this long-lived plant. The optimal time to plant bare-root peonies is fall, but if you buy one from a nursery that's already potted, you can plant it anytime, says Viette. "Peonies are short-season plants," he adds. If you plant them by themselves, your flowerbed won't look its best. Viette recommends echinacea, 'Goldsturm' rudbeckia, and summer phlox as companion plants. "Russian sage and daylilies work especially well, too, because they follow up the season," says Viette.
André Viette Farm & Nursery, 800/575-5538, www.viette.com.
| BLOOMS AT THEIR BEST |
Cutting Peonies
· Don't cut all the leaves off the stem. "You must leave one or two on the stem for the plant to thrive," says nursery owner André Viette.
· Cut when the bud is just opening. Don't cut full-bloom peonies.
· If your peonies are budding and your party's not until next week, use this tip from Viette: "Cut the buds with a lot of color showing, and refrigerate them without water for up to a week." Recut the stems before arranging to get the right height.
Where To See
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
May blooms are spectacular. Brooklyn, NY, 718/623-7200, www.bbg.org.
Missouri Botanical Garden
Visit May 17—18 during Chinese Culture Days. St. Louis, 800/642-8842, www.mobot.org.
National Arboretum
Herbaceous peonies flourish near the end of May. Washington, DC, 202/245-2726, www.usna.usda.gov.
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
A mix of herbaceous and tree peonies. Winterthur, DE, 800/448-3883, www.winterthur.org.
Buying Online
www.viette.com
www.hollingsworthpeonies.com
www.gilberthwild.com
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