Paeonia
James Waddick (Fri, 30 Jul 2004 10:56:51 PDT)

Dear All;
John's experience with a Chinese peony (i.e. an herbaceous
lactiflora selection) is as I suggested. These do very poorly in mild
climates, but don't confuse a Chinese peony with a Chinese TREE peony
(TP). There are four major cultivar groups of Chinese TP. All should
do well in milder climates especially the suffruticosa types and
especially those selected for mild climates. Japanese cvs have been
selected for centuries from Chinese stocks, but are in general
hardier and better suited to a wide range of climates. Selections of
the TP sp. P. rockii are just coming into the US and these should
prove the hardiest of the lot for Chinese TP.

Rick (Rogers) or Brother's TP is one of the best sellers
particularly of the American/Lutea hybrids (This includes 'High
Noon').

Thanks for adding the note about fall planting. There's no
way I could say everything in 2 small TOW pieces. The intent was to
incite interest in warm climate species for the milder West Coast.

Walter's Garden does sell herbaceous and tree peonies in the
spring. Generally a small selection and at very modest prices, but
ONLY wholesale. Typically growers who buy plants in quantity are
better able to establish these plants than most amateur gardeners.
One reason I urge Fall planting only. Nurseries want plants in the
spring "garden season' -a falsehood foisted on the unknowing public.
Now potted peonies are appearing in garden centers, often in bloom.
If healthy there is no reason not to purchase these, but keep them
potted for FALL planting. Unpotting is sure to disturb the roots,
stress the plant's annual cycle and possible kill the plant. This is
especially true of herbaceous peones, less of TP.

Onset of peony dormancy is controlled by many factors and
differs from species to species. Ambient temp, soil temp. freeze,
rainfall all are factors.

Unfortunately mass market growers of peonies(and many other
plants) tend to sell plants that propagate well, sell well, have some
built in publicity etc, and NOT necessarily those best suited for
specialty climates. To get mild climate Chinese TP cvs you must go to
a grower who specializes in Chinese Tp and discuss mild climate cvs,
and NOT White Flower Farm or Michicagn Bulb Company (I know you
thought they were gone , but 'They're back"!) Likewise Mediterranean
species need to be grown from seed exchange seed or specialty
growers. (see The Genus Paeonia for details).

Good luck, Jim W.
--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
E-fax 419-781-8594

Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +