BooneBrier Farm Peonies

Types of Peonies:

Herbaceous peonies die back to the ground in winter. They are long-lived perennials and have been documented in excess of 75 years old in one location. Root division is the common propagation method and can be done as early as 3-4 years on vigorous plants. Likewise, plants can be left undivided for many more years but will benefit by division when blooms lessen. Their pink/red shoots appear after snow melts (mid-February to early March in our zone). Lactiflora peonies originated in China and frequently produce side buds. Crosses with species peonies , creating hybrids, have resulted in earlier bloom times, a wider range of colors, and varying foliage. Hybrids generally lack side buds in favor of one bloom per stem. In our zone bloom time is roughly from mid-May through June.

Intersectionals (also referred to as Itohs...the name of their originator) are a cross between tree and herbaceous (bush) peonies. Their leaf form is similar to tree peonies and often colorful in the fall. They generally have a smaller, more rounded and compact bush form than their herbaceous relatives and make a wonderful landscape planting. They also die to the ground in the winter. This cross has resulted in new and exciting colors including bright yellows....colors more typical of the brilliant tree peony palette. Many consider intersectionals the "Peony of the Future". We have increased our field plantings of this inceasingly popular type to 13 varieties. Their scarcity in the marketplace commands a higher price.

Tree peonies lose leaves in the fall but maintain their woody stems through the winter. They are slower growing but ultimately become larger plants and take longer to reach bloom. Tree peonies are often grafted onto herbaceous peony roots for a faster start. We recommend acquiring “own root” tree peonies or nurturing the grafted ones into developing their own root system. The flowers are larger than those on bush peonies but short-stemmed and not very adaptable to vase bouquets. For a lovely indoor display, the blooms can be floated in bowls of water.

We have chosen to limit our offerings to the herbaceous(bush) and intersectional peonies. These classifications afford you in excess of 3000 choices.

Growing Peonies:

Peonies prefer full sun (species will do well in partial shade also), well-drained soil and average moisture (once established they are very drought resistance). Best growth will be achieved in rich, loamy slightly acidic (6.5 or so) to neutral soil. Compost or aged manure additives are desirable...especially if soil is heavy with a large percentage of clay or sand. Plant 30-36" apart and away from tree roots or leaf canopys and allow for air circulation.

Fertilize with a slow release fertilizer (5-10-10) around the plant, not on the crown, in early spring and following bloom in summer. Fall is the best time to plant roots, but prior to ground freeze. Division is best done between late September and mid-October. Early fall planting allows for feeder root establishment before spring. Peonies don’t do well as a potted plant due to their very rapid development of large roots, but adequately sized pots are acceptable as a means of starting and transporting roots for the first year or so. If purchased in a pot in the spring/summer, we recommend burying the pot in the ground until early fall, then transplanting into its permanent ground location. We provide planting instructions with every sale. Be sure to cut off dying stems in the fall, leaving an inch or two of stems showing. Sometimes it is good to know where your peonies are!

While peonies are generally pest-free the most common problem is an airborne fungus, botrytis, which will occur under certain cool, moist spring conditions. It can turn leaves and spots on stems brown and then blacken and dry up small buds. The best way to keep it in check is to provide good air circulation around peonies, use good foliage cleanup practices and trim off infected parts when first noticed (dispose of into the garbage; don't compost!) and combine with several foliar sprayings of a copper-based fungicide (Kocide or Micro-Cop are two available brands). Botryis rarely, if ever, is so damaging as to affect the basic root or its survivability

Types of Peony Blooms

SINGLE...These peonies have a base of 5 or more broad guard petals holding a center of pollen-bearing stamens and seed-bearing carpels. Varieties include Late Windflower, Claire de Lune and Dawn Glow.

JAPANESE...These peony blooms are composed of a base of broad guard petals holding a center of colored staminodes. Wide petaloids often appear in the center as well. Varieties include Fairbanks, Heidi and Garden Lace.

ANEMONE...These blooms contain a base of broad guard petals holding a cluster of wide petaloids. Varieties include Show Girl, Cheddar Charm and Bouquet Perfect.

SEMI-DOUBLE...These peonies have a more evolved bloom and a larger number of petals with less-differentiated guard petals. Petaloids of varied widths appear in the center. Varieties include Garden Treasure, Coral Charm and Golly.

DOUBLE BOMB...These flowers have distinct guard petals with a large mass of petaloids standing erect in the center. Certain varieties of this type have blooms which are large and quite lofty. Varieties include Red Charm, Angel Cheeks and Mons Jules Elie.

DOUBLE...These peonies have solid multi-petaled blooms. Some open like roses and will be more than 9"in diameter. Varieties include Dinner Plate, Karl Rosenfield and Moonstone.