Make a cup of tea and sit down for a few minutes. Our gardens are done for this year: jot down what worked and what didn’t in your garden, and make a note if you happened upon a particularly nice combination of plants that you would like repeat again next year.
Did you know that there is a Prairie Peony Society? There is indeed, and while I was reading about it, I discovered a list of peony gardens in Saskatchewan, compiled by Brian Porter, who is president of the group. This list was compiled several years ago, but is worth researching further if you love peonies. I copied the following locations directly from his list:
“INDIAN HEAD
- Experimental Farm, located just East of the town and north of the Trans-Canada Highway; beds are on the picnic grounds, east of the main office building. The current collection was relocated in 1994 and includes some from 1959 plantings as well as two seedlings from Morden. There is also one tree peony growing by the office building.
- PFRA Shelterbelt Centre – located about 1 mile south of town, south of the Trans-Canada Highway. A long bed of peonies exists in the picnic area; a few more are found in the general perennial beds but some may be mislabeled.
REGINA
- a small planting of peonies, unlabeled, exists in Rotary Park, west of the Albert Street Bridge, just north of Regina Avenue. All of these peonies came from the Indian Head collection.
ROSTHERN
- the historic Seager Wheeler Farm located 7 km east of Rosthern, on the north side of Highway 312, has a historic collection of about 40 plants, representing cultivars introduced worldwide from 1823 to the 1990’s.
SASKATOON
- the Forestry Farm Park has two separate plantings of peonies. One, just south-west of the main parking area, consists of plants from the Indian Head collection, and is unlabeled. A newer collection exists along with a new rose garden and is found further south. Most are labeled.”
So if you are thinking of adding some peonies to your garden, check out the Prairie Peony Society at www. icangarden.com Their information says “The Prairie Peony Society, formerly Regina Peony Society, welcomes members from anywhere, but is organized to share information on peonies particularly to prairie growers. We publish 4 newsletters a year and hold an annual peony show in Regina, open to the public. Garden tours and plant sales are offered from time to time.”
I would like to take a moment to congratulate three hard-working gardeners from the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society who were awarded honorary lifetime memberships at the SHA convention: Sonja Pawliw, Ed Sek, and Glen Tymiak. A bouquet of roses to all of you! These gardeners have been long-time, hard-working members of the society and have brought much wisdom, enthusiasm and inspiration to the group! Thank you for being the special people you are!
Bring your garden journals up to date, and have a great week! Visit us at www.yorktonhort.ca
