Dear Jane,
P.mloko may one of the most frustrating of species peonies to
grow. Part of this is due to the repeated 'insistence' that flowers are
'picture perfect' 'moonlit yellow'. But the species is quite variable and
Prof. Hong De Yuan is his most recent monograph on the genus has helped to
clarify the mess.
In the wild plants can be found bearing a rage of colors from
picture perfect pale yellow to bright glowing pink and all combos in
between. And there are a range of closely related forms all now in the
species P. daurica. You may be familiar with some subspecies formerly
considered true species such as P. d. macrophylla, P. d. wittmanniana, P.
d. coriifolia and of course P. d. mlokosewitschii.

Add to this the ease of which all these hybridize and the known
effects of temperature ( possibly due to your recent move and change of
climate) and plant age on flower color and you have a range. I have a
friend in up state NY who grows a few different wild accessions together,
gets all kinds of mix and match and refers to them as his 'Molly Mutts', an
apt description.

If you MUST have a good reliable pale yellow, you have to see the
plant in bloom and buy from that seller. Or grow a lot of seedlings and
select ruthlessly. Or have good luck in buying a small plant.

In your area you might inquire from Paige Woodward of Pacific Rim
Native Plants, Diana Reeck of Collector's Nursery, Carol Adelman of Adelman
Nursery or just ask around as it is somewhat more available in OR and WA in
the PNW. (Heritage Seedlings offer seedlings at a wholesale rate if you
need LOTS).

Fortunately any color it is a very nice plant.
Best Jim W.

On Apr 23, 2013, at 11:35 PM, Jane McGary wrote:

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