Peony Roots ~ Order now for
October delivery
Peonies are one of the most beautiful flowering plants we can grow. For all their beauty, they are tough. They live for decades with very little care, all they require is a sunny location and rich soil. Fall is the recommended season for planting peonies in our Zone 8 gardens. Peonies available in garden centers in Spring will struggle and may survive, but will not thrive over a summer with hard dry soil and extreme heat. Planted in Fall, their roots flourish in moist cool soil because they’re no longer putting energy into foliage. Birdsnest Blooms is offering a limited quantity of four varieties that make exceptional cut flowers. Many are sturdy enough to not need staking. The Dutch peonies from Birdsnest Blooms are sorted as 3/5 eye roots but they can have as many as ten eyes, as pictured. Typically peony roots from mass suppliers are 2/3 eye roots, which are a year or two behind in growth to becoming viable for bloom harvest.
~ There is an old saying ~ “First year roots, second year shoots, third year cuts” because the roots need to settle in after planting. Do not expect flowers the first Spring after planting. If buds do form in the first Spring, pinch them off so that energy goes into the plant not the flowers. The second Spring you should cut in bud stage with short stems as they start to open (and fill vases!) so they don’t drain energy from the plant, leaving as much foliage as possible on the stem. If you don’t cut in bud, deadhead as soon as the flower fades, do not let them dry on the plant. In future years, cut all the blooms you want, but always leave foliage on the plant for it to feed the following year's blooms. It’s a wait for blooms but worth it! Properly planted, your peonies will outlast you. If you choose not to cut for the vase, deadhead the bloom when it fades or it will set seed, draining the plants. Seeds aren’t a viable way to propagate peonies. Detailed planting instructions with each order - porch drop delivery.
Peony Mother's Choice
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A must-have! American Peony Society Gold Medal winner offers richly fragrant oversized double blooms, in a beautiful ivory with a blush tinge. The rose-shaped flowers are huge, resembling David Austin garden roses and stand on sturdy stems. Mother’s Choice is expensive but I had to have her!
Porch drop delivery in early October ~ at just the right time for planting.
Peony Pink Hawaiian Coral
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One of the earliest to bloom, Pink Hawaiian Coral is breathtaking. Glowing semi-double blooms open coral pink then gradually reveal luminous yellow stamens. Fragrant and strong stems makes this an excellent cut! I'm going to plant it with another Early bloomer, and new to me peony ~ Green Lotus
Porch drop delivery in early October ~ at just the right time for planting.
Peony Gardenia, 5/7 eye roots
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Named after the gardenia shrub for its sweet fragrance and the shape of its blooms, beautiful 6" to 8" flowers on strong stems. The outer petals are light pink and the inner petals are ivory white, creating an overall blush white effect. Gardenia peony flowers for 7-10 days in late Spring on strong reddish stems.
Porch drop delivery in early October ~ at just the right time for planting.
Green Lotus Peony
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New to me! Sure to be striking in the garden and in the vase, this Early blooming cactus-dahlia style peony bloom has ruffly edges, soft green on white petals tinged pink on the ends, yellow staminoid center and slightly fragrant.
Porch delivery in early October at just the right time for planting.