The Herbaceous Peony Garden at My Farm
My herbaceous peony garden is blooming with brilliant pinks and whites!
Every spring, one of the most anticipated sights on the farm is my herbaceous peony garden in full bloom. When I first planted my peony garden, I focused on pink varieties, and planted 11-double rows of 22-peony types - all purchased from Roy Klehm, owner of Klehm’s Song Sparrow Farm and Nursery in Avalon, Wisconsin. I chose the varieties for their colors, their forms and their long blooming periods. And, I am happy to say, the garden has been a success ever since. Family and friends love stopping by to enjoy its splendor.
Here are some photos.
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- Roy Klehm’s is a plant source I’ve used for many years. My plan was always to plant a lot of peonies in one large garden bed – I’ve been so pleased with its growth and stunning displays of color. http://www.songsparrow.com
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- The soil is amended with superphosphate and Azomite, a natural product mined from an ancient mineral deposit in Utah.
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- These natural additives improve root systems and overall plant vigor, resulting in this fantastic profusion of blooms.
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- If you look closely, the peony bed is also surrounded by boxwood. In winter I wrap the boxwood in burlap, which protects the entire area from the harsh winter winds.
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- The peony is any plant in the genus Paeonia, the only genus in the family Paeoniaceae. They are native to Asia, Europe and Western North America.
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- Peony blooms range from simple blossoms to complex clusters. Peony flower shapes are one of four major groups: single, semi-double, Japanese, and double.
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- The single form includes flowers with one or maybe two rows of petals that surround the stamens and anthers in the center.
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- Semi-double peonies are those which have more than one row of petals and an exposed center crown.
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- This flower form is a bomb with a large number of petals rising in the center to form a distinct high mound.
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- Peonies are considered northern flowers – they tolerate, and even prefer, cold winter temperatures. They are hardy in zones 3 through 8 and need more than 400-hours of temperatures below 40-degrees Fahrenheit annually to break dormancy and bloom properly.
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- ‘Mischief’ features bold lightly scented pink flowers with golden stamens in the center. It has a rounded form with a medium texture. It will grow to about 24-inches tall at maturity, extending to three feet tall with the flowers.
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- ‘Star Power’ has pure white, large blossoms with bold round guard petals and red tipped stigmas.
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- ‘Abalone Pearl’ is a semi-double with fragrant, coral-pink petals and a golden center. The foliage is dark green and attractive, and it blooms early.
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- ‘Beautiful Señorita’, a Japanese variety, has a double row of deep, pink guard petals and a creamy center.
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- Other varieties in the collection are ‘Elsa Sass’, ‘Victorian Blush’, ‘Fringed Ivory’, ‘Martha’, ‘Madylone’, ‘Lullaby Coos’, ‘Vivid Glow’, ‘Angel Cheeks’, ‘Miss America’ and ‘Flying Pink Saucers’.
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- The peony is a perennial flower. The majority of peonies are hybrids, and classified as herbaceous, or as deciduous tree peonies. The peony is showy, frilly, and incredibly fragrant, with thick, large green leaves and tuberous root systems.
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- The peony’s fragrance can vary, but most have sweet, clean scents. And, do you know… pink peonies tend to have stronger fragrances than red peonies? Double form white peonies are also very aromatic.
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- Peonies usually bloom quite easily. Be sure to always plant the eyes, the points at which new growth emerges, no more than two-inches deep. Also be sure the plants get at least six-hours of full sun per day.
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- Peonies are easy to maintain – for the most part, they are disease resistant and they do not require any pesticides. They do, however, take some time to get established, so be patient.
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- If needed, give a balanced perennial fertilizer. Peonies love potassium. It is essential for stem strength, but also helps promote strong flower production.
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- Herbaceous peonies grow two to four feet tall with sturdy stems and blooms that can reach up to 10-inches wide. Plants should be spaced about three to four feet apart and away from competing roots.
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- Peonies are plants that can be enjoyed for many years – they can live up to 100-years and still produce magnificent flowers.
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- Both herbaceous and tree peonies need rich soil and consistent moisture in order to perform their best.
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- Peonies make wonderful sentinels in the garden, or lined on walkways. After the bloom fades, its bushy clump of glossy, green leaves lasts the rest of summer.
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- When using peonies for cut flowers, gather them early in the morning, and cut those whose buds are beginning to show color and feel similar to firm marshmallows. Always cut the stems at an angle and change the water daily.
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- The only disadvantage of peonies is that each field yields one crop of cut flowers for a couple of weeks only once a year, and then that’s it – until the next season, when they bloom with splendor once again.
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