2018 Tree Peony 'Angel Emily' Best Performer - Week 3

I do not cease to be amazed by this tree peony. I used to not really like tree peonies all that much, but I have to credit this one with changing my mind. Tree Peony 'Angel Emily' is a dream plant. It has wonderful vigor, increasing in size and blooms every year. Its bloom buds withstand our late freezes, and the color of the flower just blows your mind. This tree peony was hybridized by Bill Seidl and registered jointly by Bill and Nate Bremer in 2013. I missed being able to purchase it in 2013, but by 2014, I was ready to hunt it down. The pictures of this full grown plant on Solaris Farms' web site called to me! The semi-double flowers are a beautiful shade of lavender with just a hint of pink. The petals are large and ruffled, the center of which emanates a dark purple flare. If you missed your chance to purchase this one again this year (it is already sold out for 2018), make sure to put it on your 2019 peony purchase list! Tree Peony 'Angel Emily'
Southern Peony Best Performer
Tree Peony 'Angel Emily'
Southern Peony Best Performer
Tree Peony 'Angel Emily'
Southern Peony Best Performer

2018 Tree Peony Companions Azaleas

Tree Peony 'Angel Emily' with White Azalea
If you don't grow azaleas, you are definitely missing out. Azaleas are easy to grow bushes that don't require any extra care. They grow well in zones 5-8. So they have a pretty wide growing range. They are loaded with blooms in early spring, and with so many colors to choose from, you are sure to find one that fits in your garden. There's white, pink, coral, red, lavender, yellow, and all colors in between! They typically like to be grown in half shade/half sun. If you plant them in too much shade, they won't bloom well (just like tree peonies). So a little more sun is better.
Tree Peony 'Angel Emily' with White Azalea
They also bloom around the same time as tree peonies, thus making the perfect brilliant backdrop for your favorite tree peonies. Pictured here is a common white azalea (purchased quite inexpensively as a very small bush many years ago) with Tree Peony 'Angel Emily'. I just love the gorgeous lavender pink blooms of Tree Peony 'Angel Emily', which contrast well with the bright white blooms of the large azalea. If you don't yet grow azaleas, now's your chance to plant a very low maintenance shrub that grows larger and blooms abundantly (without any help from me) every year! Tree Peony 'Angel Emily' with White Azalea

2018 Amazing Color Changing Tree Peony 'Taiyo' 太陽 (The Sun)

Color Changing Tree Peony 'Taiyo' 太陽 (The Sun)
When I first saw this bud show some color, I thought for sure that I'd gotten the wrong peony. However I think I actually have the correct one. Tree Peony 'Taiyo' 太陽 (The Sun) is supposed to be a red peony. The bud first came out with light pink petals. Even as the flower began to open they were still pretty pink. However the petals actually became darker and darker as the bloom fully opened. I've seen lots of peonies open and lose their color, but this is the first time I've ever seen a peony get darker and more colorful as it ages - definitely new and different (and a bit exciting!) for me. Take a look at the transformation of this tree peony bloom from pink to red below!
Tree Peony 'Taiyo' 太陽 (The Sun) Bud


Tree Peony 'Taiyo' 太陽 (The Sun) Bud Opening


Tree Peony 'Taiyo' 太陽 (The Sun) Bloom Opening


Tree Peony 'Taiyo' 太陽 (The Sun) Bloom

2018 Peony Blooms - Week 2 Early

This week we've started to see a few more colorful buttons in the garden. The Saunders peony garden and the tree peony garden both have definitely had the most activity this week as far as blooms go. Peony 'Roselette's Baby' and Tree Peony 'Taiyo' 太陽 (The Sun) both bloomed for me for the first time this year. So it was nice to see and meet those blossoms for the first time ever. Peony 'Coral Fay' and Peony 'Coral Sunset' started up the coral peony season. The colors of Peony 'Honor' and Tree Peony 'Angel Emily' always stand out in the garden. Peony 'Honor' has just a bright, saturated pink, and Tree Peony 'Angel Emily' has those gorgeous, ruffled, lavender petals. I hope your peony bloom season is getting off to a good start! :-)
Peony 'Roselette's Baby'


Tree Peony 'Taiyo' 太陽 (The Sun)


Peony 'Coral Fay'


Peony 'Honor'


Peony 'Coral Sunset'


Tree Peony 'Angel Emily'

2018 Tree Peony 'White Phoenix' Best Performer - Week 2

Of all the tree peonies I've tried to grow, this one is definitely the easiest to grow. It doesn't mind our heat. The bush gets larger every year - no shrinkage. And the blooms become more and more plentiful as well. It is a great start to the peony season, with plenty of brilliant white blossoms decorating a nice bush. Tree Peony 'White Phoenix' 鳳丹白(Feng Dan Bai) is a Chinese cultivar of p. ostii. If you don't grow any tree peonies, and are looking for a good one to start with, this one is it. It is relatively inexpensive (compared to most other tree peonies),is widely grown (so it should be easy to find), and really takes care of itself (requiring very little intervention). Also if you do already grow tree peonies, this one would be an easy going variety to add to your collection. It really is a great tree peony for all peony lovers.
Tree Peony 'White Phoenix' 鳳丹白(Feng Dan Bai)
Southern Peony Best Performer

Tree Peony 'White Phoenix' 鳳丹白(Feng Dan Bai)
Southern Peony Best Performer