2015 Peony Companion Plants Amaryllis

Pink Peony with Red Amaryllis
I couldn't resist taking a photo of this early amaryllis and late peony blooming together. The bright pink peony was fading just as the pinky red amaryllis was opening, and they looked so gorgeous together. Amaryllis are usually hardy in growing zones 7-10. So Southern gardeners in particular can delight in naturalizing these bulbs with their peonies. If you're looking for a special bulb with enough size and height to plant between your peonies, take a closer look at Amaryllis. Their form and substance are strong and tall enough to compliment peonies without overpowering them. Also there are so many colors and forms of amaryllis to choose from these days, including reds, pinks, whites, and multicolored as well as single and double flower form varieties.
Red Amaryllis with Green Peony Foliage

2015 APS Convention Peonies in Fiestaware Vases

Fiestaware Vase filled with Peonies
If there was one thing I can't stop thinking about from the American Peony Society Convention, it is the peonies in the Fiestaware vases that decorated the tables at the APS Banquet. Thanks to Mike Miller and his wife who brought their collection of gorgeous Feista Ware vases, all of the same pattern, but in a beautiful range of hues to decorate the tables at the banquet. They did an awesome job dressing up the room, and these Fiestaware vases were one of the first things I noticed as soon as I entered the banquet room. I asked them if the vases were up for auction, and they politely replied no. I guess I will just have to hunt down for one myself. :-)

2015 American Peony Society Yew Dell Gardens Tour

During the American Peony Society Convention and on the morning of our first tour day, we went on the American Peony Society Whitehall Mansion Tour of its house and gardens. In the afternoon we toured the Yew Dell Botanical Gardens. They had a very nice barn that was designed by an architect and housed their gift shop right at their main entrance, which is where they gave the intro to our tour.

Yew Dell Tour Guide and American Peony Society Members
Yew Dell Entrance Barn and Gift Shop
However before we even got off our tour buses and entered the Yew Dell barn, we noticed a group planting of yellow Itoh peonies. Also upon our exit from the barn we found another group planting of the same yellow intersectionals. They turned out to be the Peony 'Garden Treasure' that Don Hollingsworth had donated to Yew Dell a couple years before. They made such a lovely display, and really dressed up the entrance to Yew Dell. Everyone clamored to get a photo of Don Hollingsworth and his gorgeous Peony 'Garden Treasure'.

Don Hollingsworth and Peony 'Garden Treasure'
The tour of Yew Dell included a look at their display gardens, kitchen garden, fountain garden, shade garden, rooftop garden, greenhouses, and of course their castle. The tour was quick and we had lunch in the garden shortly afterwards. It seems I could have spent a couple more hours exploring the gardens here, but I used my bit of free time during lunch to chat with other APS members. After lunch one bus load of people went back to the Galt House Hotel, and those who chose to stay participated in the ALM training program part two.
APS Members at the Yew Dell Castle

2015 Peony Blooms Week 6 - Late

We continue this week with lots more lactiflora peonies in bloom. With it being almost June, the weather is much warmer. We had two days in the 90s, two days in the 80s, and three days in the 70s. The 90 degree days were really hard on the peonies with blooms wilting much faster. Also most of the week 6 late bloomers this year are usually my week 7 very late season bloomers. So the weeks have definitely merged together, and my peony bloom season is coming to a close. There are still a few bright spots in the garden with the bright hot pinks of Peony 'Paul M. Wild' and Peony 'Mons. Martin Cahuzac'. Also the pure white blossoms of Peony 'Elsa Sass' and Peony 'White Frost' still draw the eye.

Peony 'Pink Parasol Surprise'	Peony 'Mons. Martin Cahuzac'
Peony 'Paul M. Wild'	Peony 'Vivid Rose'
Peony 'Elsa Sass'	Peony 'White Frost'

2015 American Peony Society Gold Medal Winner - 'Mahoghany'

American Peony Society Facebook Page
Peony 'Mahogany' 2015 Gold Medal Winner
This year the American Peony Society selected Peony 'Mahogany' as the APS Gold Medal Winner for 2015 and 2016 Peony of the Year. Peony 'Mahogany' was hybridized by Glasscock and registered in 1937. The APS registration describes it as "Single - Deep mahogany. Very early. Hybrid. Large, single, cup-shaped bloom of deep mahogany color. Albiflora x officinalis Otto Froebel." I actually do not grow this peony, but it has been on my peony want list since 2008 when Hollingsworth Peonies was selling it for $24.00. Don't ask me why I haven't ordered it in the last 7 years. I guess there were other peonies on my list too! ;-) I'm sure the prices will go up for this peony in next year's catalogs. Interestingly enough, I wasn't able to find it in any of this years catalogs so I could actually order one for myself. If you know of a peony grower who is selling it for fall shipment, please let me know!