My Herbaceous Peony Garden
So many of you have asked to see my herbaceous peony garden blooming with brilliant pinks and whites!
It's one of the most anticipated sights on the farm - my herbaceous peony garden in full bloom. Every year, I often invite family and friends to stop by and enjoy its splendor. When I first planted the garden, I knew I wanted many, many peonies in one large area. I chose a location across from my Winter House, where there is lots of room and sun - a spot where I could also see the beautiful floral displays from my window. All the peonies in this garden came from Roy Klehm, the owner of Klehm’s Song Sparrow Nursery in Avalon, Wisconsin. And I am happy to say, every one of them continues to thrive.
Here are some photos.
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- Roy Klehm’s is a plant source I have used for many years. When I planted this garden I focused on pink varieties and chose them for their colors, shades, foliage, growing habits and blooming schedules. http://www.songsparrow.com
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- 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.
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- My herbaceous peony collection includes 11-double rows of peonies, and 22 different varieties of peony plants – two varieties in each row.
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- In April, Chhewang put up stakes, so the peonies would be well-supported as they grow.
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- The metal stakes are placed around each bed and then jute twine is tied in a zigzag pattern around and in between the plants.
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- The twine is also looped through the holes at the top of the stakes and in the middle.
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- Here is what it looks like from above the beds – very neat and tidy.
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- Here is the bed a couple weeks later – the stakes and twine are already beginning to support the long peony stems.
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- And by late May, the first peonies are up.
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- Look at all the buds just ready to open. 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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- In early June, the beds are overflowing with beautiful peony blooms. 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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- The soil at my farm responds well to growing peonies. It has a pH of 6.5 to 7.0, which is ideal, and the area is in full sun.
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- The soil is amended with superphosphate and Azomite, a natural product mined from an ancient mineral deposit in Utah. These natural additives improve root systems and overall plant vigor, resulting in this fantastic profusion of blooms.
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- If the soil is well-conditioned, fertilizer is not necessary. 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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- Peonies are considered rich in tradition – they are the floral symbol of China, the state flower of Indiana, and the 12th wedding anniversary bloom.
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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. ‘Praire Moon’ is a soft creamy blossom with golden stamens. The blooms can reach about six to seven inches in diameter and have a light floral scent.
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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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- ‘Star Power’ has pure white, large blossoms with bold round guard petals and red tipped stigmas.
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- ‘Reine Supreme’ has pink double flowers with double rows of guard petals and sturdy stems.
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- ‘Brother Chuck’ is a classic peony. It is a very strong peony with dark green foliage and full and double white flowers with a slight hint of pink in the center.
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- ‘Beautiful Señorita’, a Japanese variety, has a double row of deep, pink guard petals and a creamy center. If you’re new to the world of peonies, refer to the Peonies 101 story on our web site. http://www.marthastewart.com/271024/peonies-101
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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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- 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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- 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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- Both herbaceous and tree peonies need full sun, rich soil and consistent moisture in order to perform their best.
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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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- 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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- 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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