Here's a question for the peony experts: do the Itoh interdivisional hybrids ever form short, above ground woody growths? For several years I've been nurturing a plant of 'Yellow Crown', one of the hybrids raised by Itoh himself, which has not yet bloomed and proved its identity. But there is a peony growing where 'Yellow Crown' should be; it has tree-peony like foliage. And it has a four inch woody stem. I'm confused. Yes - I have about 18 of them and most of them do this. Some years the above ground buds grow away fine, other years not. J. John T Lonsdale PhD 407 Edgewood Drive, Exton, Pennsylvania 19341, USA Home: 610 594 9232 Cell: 484 678 9856 Fax: 315 571 9232 Visit "Edgewood" - The Lonsdale Garden at http://www.edgewoodgardens.net/ USDA Zone 6b