2019 Intersectional Peony 'Joanna Marlene' Update

Intersectional Peony 'Joanna Marlene' from Ebay, in Bud
Since so many people have been asking me about that Intersectional Peony 'Joanna Marlene' root I bought on Ebay, I decided I should write an update about her. There were several comments on the article I wrote about purchasing this peony on Ebay, 2015 Intersectional Peony 'Joanna Marlene' on Ebay, wanting to know the status of this plant. I must say I was excited to see its first bud developing this year. This peony took quite a while to get to blooming size, but it finally made it. I was so ready and full of anticipation for it to open. After all these years of waiting, the moment of truth had finally arrived!


Intersectional Peony 'Joanna Marlene' from Ebay, Old Bloom
I did actually capture a photo of it in bud one evening last week. However I totally missed it opening the next day. (Pesky work, what's it good for?! LOL) By the time I had a chance to snap another photo of it 3 days later, there wasn't much left of it, and not much color either. Judging by the color of the bud that was just about to open, though, it looks like this peony is probably the correct cultivar. Sometimes the first bloom on a plant is not very indicative of what a full sized plant's bloom may look like. So it's quite possible that the blooms on this plant will have more petals next year. I guess I will have to reserve making a final judgement on the positive identification of this plant, but so far the prognosis looks good!

2019 Peony 'Festiva Maxima' First Bouquet of the Season

Peony 'Festiva Maxima'
I couldn't help but pick these last week when I arrived home one day. They were spilling over into my driveway, and I really didn't want to run into them. I'm so glad I brought them inside. They perfumed the entire downstairs of my house for days. If you don't grow Peony 'Festiva Maxima', you really should. This peony blooms like crazy with over 100 blooms on each of the plants planted by my mailbox. I have divided this peony several times, given several roots to friends and family, and it just keeps coming back even bigger! It grows like a weed down here, and it smells so lovely, with a sweet rose-like scent. If you do grow it, don't forget to bring a few indoors to enjoy their beauty and perfume inside!


Peony 'Festiva Maxima'

2019 Intersectional Peony Blooms Late Mid Week 5

Is it bad to say that I'm already looking forward to next year? I know, I know. I still have a few buds that haven't opened yet, and several late herbaceous peonies to look forward to, but I must say I really am going to miss all of these peony blooms, especially these colorful intersectional peonies. I feel like there's a rainbow in my garden when these peonies are in bloom! Intersectional Peony 'Mock Orange Yellow' open for the first time for me this year, and I love the orange color! Sometimes you can find a delicate pinkish bloom on Intersectional Peony 'Old Rose Dandy', and this is a good example of one. Intersectional Peony 'Cora Louise' is always a great plant with its standout white blooms and purple tinted base. Intersectional Peony 'Pastel Splendor' has so many colors in the bloom and is very interesting to look at. Sometimes the blooms on Intersectional Peony 'Little Darlin'' are wild and crazy and sometimes they're neat and orderly. This one is the "neat and orderly" variety, but the color is what draws you in! Intersectional Peony 'Lunar Glow' which bloomed for the first time for me this year has a soft yellow color and very soft rounded petals. Intersectional Peony 'Luxuriant' also opened for the first time for me this year having good substance and symmetry.


Intersectional Peony 'Mock Orange Yellow'

Intersectional Peony 'Old Rose Dandy'

Intersectional Peony 'Cora Louise'

Intersectional Peony 'Pastel Splendor'

Intersectional Peony 'Little Darlin''

Intersectional Peony 'Lunar Glow'

Intersectional Peony 'Luxuriant'

2019 Peony Blooms Late Mid Week 5

I think the bulk of the blooms are winding down now. Week 4 and Week 5 are pretty much the biggest weeks for bloom here. It has been a really nice show this year, but I am taking notes on what I need to improve for next year. I feel very lucky to have the Peony 'Etched Salmon' planted right next to one of my garden benches, as it is so lovely and symmetrical and just beautiful to view up close. I was really impressed with the substance and long-lasting color of Peony 'Red Red Rose'. Peony 'Raspberry Clown' never fails to delight with its multi-colored blossoms. Peony 'Gilbert Barthelot' is a stupendous plant and always loaded with blooms. Peony 'Perfect Princess' gets even more perfect every year. I have it planted right next to my front door to greet people on the way in. Peony 'Pink Derby' has a whopper of a bloom, and Peony 'Carolina Moon' is a cute flattish white and yellow combo peony. I hope you are enjoying your bloom season as much as I am!


Peony 'Etched Salmon'

Peony 'Red Red Rose'

Peony 'Raspberry Clown'

Peony 'Gilbert Barthelot'

Peony 'Perfect Princess'

Peony 'Pink Derby'

Peony 'Carolina Moon'

2019 360° View of Intersectional Peony 'Keiko' 愛幕 (Adored) - 'Pink Double Dandy'

This peony, 'Keiko' 愛幕 (Adored) aka 'Pink Double Dandy', is always one of my Best Performers. This intersectional peony plant just had so many pretty, pink flowers on it, that every side was covered. So I decided to take this series of photos showing the peony blooms on every side of the bush. There are just so many flowers on this plant, that there was not one side that wasn't covered. If you're not yet convinced that this peony, Peony 'Keiko' (Adored) Best Performer is one of the best intersectional peonies out there, then perhaps this will convince you...















360° View of Intersectional Peony 'Keiko' 愛幕 (Adored)
'Pink Double Dandy'