2018 Intersectional Peony Blooms - Week 3 Early Mid

The intersectional peonies are just barely getting started this week. So only a few varieties have opened so far. Intersectional Peony 'First Arrival' is aptly names since it blooms early in the intersectional peony bloom season. It is usually one of the first intersectional peonies to open. Intersectional Peony 'Takara' is very exotic, with complex coloring in shades of pink, with the petal edges appearing a bit darker than the centers, and the center of the flower containing a dark raspberry colored flare. Intersectional Peony 'Watermelon Wine' bloomed for the first time for me this year, and it is a lovely shade of pinky red, much darker than an actual watermelon, with almost matching, but a bit darker flares in the center of the bloom.
Intersectional Peony 'First Arrival'

Intersectional Peony 'Takara'

Intersectional Peony 'Watermelon Wine'

2018 Peony Blooms - Week 3 Early Mid

Pretty much the last of the tree peonies are blooming this week. Tree Peony 'Koukamon' 皇嘉門 (Floral Gate) bloomed for the first time for me this year, and I can't believe how dark purple it is, just beautiful! Peony 'Seraphim' and Peony 'Coral Charm' are reliable bloomers and both Southern Peony Best Performers. Peony 'Golden Frolic' and Peony 'Prairie Moon' are both delicate pastel beauties. It is always nice to see them light up the garden, and the honey bees just love peony 'Golden Folic'! We've had a pretty good start to the peony bloom season this year. I'm a little sad to be missing part of it during my trip to China, but I'm hoping it's worth it! I hope your peony bloom seasons are all well under way and going well or are starting soon (if you're more North than South!). :-)
Peony 'Seraphim'


Tree Peony 'Koukamon' 皇嘉門 (Floral Gate)


Peony 'Paladin'


Peony 'Golden Frolic'


Peony 'Coral Charm'


Peony 'Prairie Moon'

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