Herbaceous peonies (Paeonia lactiflora) have come a long way since they were introduced to Europe in the middle 18th century with literally hundreds (if not now thousands) of registered cultivars. They have been a standard in the prairie garden for over a century because of their cold hardiness, drought tolerance, longevity and showiness. But they sometimes lack sturdiness (needing peony rings for support), have a short flowering period and do not have an extensive colour range.
Tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa), illegally introduced from China by Robert Fortune in 1846, have what their herbaceous cousins lack: sturdy stems, longer flowering period, high numbers of very large, oftentimes fragrant flowers in a wide colour range (including yellow). Unfortunately, they lack sufficient hardiness to withstand a prairie winter.
There is a third ornamental peony option, a hybrid of the herbaceous (Paeon section) and Asiatic tree (Moutan section) peonies dubbed the Itoh (or Intersectional) peony hybrid. Itoh hybrids have inherited the unique colours, larger flowers, high flower count and extended flowering period (from late spring to early summer) from their tree peony parentage. From their herbaceous parents, they have inherited the size, herbaceous characteristics and, most importantly, hardiness.
They bloom from late spring to early summer and within this period are classified as early, mid or late. Colours include white, pinks, reds, golden yellow, copper red and orange, often with contrasting flares at the base of the petals. Many are fragrant. Their attractive, finely cut foliage and strong stems (rarely. if ever, needing support) are also from their tree peony genes. They are extremely vigorous. The rounded bushes are about three-by-three feet.
Don’t expect instant gratification. Like other peonies it may take four years or longer to reach full size, but they should remain with you for decades. Once extremely rare they are becoming more common. And their rarity is sometimes reflected in their price, especially so with the newest introductions.
Proven Prairie-Hardy Cultivars
Bartzella (Anderson, 1986) – large (six to eight inches diameter), semi-double to double, soft sulphur yellow flowers with red flares; floriferous; good substance; fragrant; strong 32 inch stems; fragrant; late mid-season.
Candy Cane (Smith, 2004) – semi-double to double, creamy yellow, lightly flushed pink with prominent bright red flares; some petals with deep lavender pink streaks; six inch diameter; 26 inch height; mild fragrance.
Cora Louise (Anderson, 1986) – palest lavender fading to pure white, single or double flowers with lavender flares; flat in form; strong stems; dark green foliage; mid-season; 24 inch in height; some fragrance.
Morning Lilac (Anderson, 1992) - single to semi-double, lavender-fuchsia-pink with dark purple and white streaking; dark green foliage; 26-28 inch tall; mid-season.
Sequestered Sunshine (Anderson, 1999) – single to semi-double, canary yellow flowers five to seven inch diameter with white carpals tipped with red stigmas and a ring of yellow stamens; fragrant; vigorous; dark green, dissected foliage; mid-season.
Singing in the Rain (Donald Smith, 2002) – semi-double, apricot, blooms appears light orange upon opening, fading to yellow, giving the plant a multi-coloured appearance; floriferous with many side-buds; lightly fragrant; mid-season.
Visions of Sugar Plums (Smith, 19??) – large, single flowers, soft pink blending to a deeper pink at the petal edge; each petal has huge plum-colored flares towards the center; midseason; height to 29 inch
Yankee Doodle Dandy (Smith, 2000) – semi-double to occasionally double rose-form flowers; attractive deep pink with cream undertones that fade slightly as the flowers mature, but remain attractive to petal drop; 6 inch in diameter; pleasant fragrance; two to three buds per stem; good substance, floriferous; midseason; excellent foliage; 36 inch height.
Next installment: history, care and a few more proven varieties.
Sara Williams is the author of the newly expanded and revised Creating the Prairie Xeriscape; Gardening, Naturally: A chemical-free handbook for the Prairies; and the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo: A Photographic History. Sara will be leading a garden tour to Great Britain in May, 2016 and co-leading, with Melanie Elliot, a tour of Fauna and Flora of Iceland in July, 2016. Call Ruth (1-888-778-2378) for more information.
Announcements: GardenLine is open for the season to solve your garden problems: 306-966-5865; [email protected]
— This column is provided courtesy of the Saskatchewan Perennial Society (www.saskperennial.ca; [email protected]). Check out our Bulletin Board or Calendar for upcoming garden information sessions, workshops and tours: North American Lily Society Annual Show (July 15-19, Calgary, www.nals2015.com); SPS Labour and Learn - Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park (July 16, 21); Open (Superintendent’s) House and Walking Tour-Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park (July 19).
