Paeonia

James Yourch yourch@nortelnetworks.com
Fri, 30 Jul 2004 13:51:24 PDT
Jim McKenney wrote:
>Thus, it's extremely unlikely that the herbaceous stock will overwhelm the
tree peony scion during the first season. 
In our similar Eastern United States climate, I agree with Jim.  The
herbaceous peony understock appears to be doing most of the root work for
many, many years.  I have a few of these, and straight herbaceous hybrids as
well, and the tree peonies are really slow growers here.  I have one tree
peony for which the understock suckers, but it was 10 years old before I had
any top growth on the understock, most of the younger plants have not done
this yet and may never.  They are not planted all that deep. Planting an
herbaceous peony too deep is nearly a guarantee that it will not bloom.
Here I make sure that the eyes are visible at ground level year round, much
deeper and no flowers.

This would probably sicken the heart of the devout tree peony grower, but
one year things got away from me and the understock grew and formed flower
buds.  Not having the heart to cut them off and being curious what they
might look like I allowed them to continue.  What a lucky break, the single
flowers of the understock are one the best herbaceous peonies I have.  I now
allow this to happen every year and get the early show in March from the
tree peony and then a show late in April from the understock.  I do not
allow the understock to overwhelm the tree peony and I am happy with the
arrangement.  I have taken numerous photos of the understock's flowers
because it is such a looker.  If anybody is interested I would be glad to
post to the wiki.

Regards,

Jay Yourch

Central North Carolina, USA (USDA 7)


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