To answer Dylan's question about Paeonia cambessedesii: I grow a lot of
this species, as well as other ones. I never scarify the seed, even the
massive seeds of P. lutea, which self-sows in this area. Generally no leaf
appears the first year after sowing, but a radicle is produced (known as
hypogeal germination). The leaves appear the second spring. This seems to
be a consistent pattern. Other species peonies also self-sow in gardens
here, particularly P. daurica.

Most of my P. camb. seeds come from two plants I keep in the bulb house
(planted directly in the bed, not in pots), but some seed obtained under
that name from the NARGS seedex germinated this spring and contained mixed
species or hybrids; only one appeared to be true(ish). P. camb. is easily
identified by its almost metallic blue-green leaves, very beautiful in
early growth. It was not quite winter-hardy in my former garden (up in the
hills), but I think I'll try some outdoors now that I'm at a lower
elevation. It will certainly be a wonderful plant for California gardens,
ornamental both in flower and in foliage. It goes dormant in late summer.
In the bulb frames and bulb house it has survived about 20 degrees F when
covered from rain.

Jane McGary, Portland, Oregon, USA

On 7/11/2018 8:40 AM, Hannon wrote:

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