I haven't heard of them but I often wonder if buying from cross country for an entirely different zone delivers the results you want or if the plants need a year or so in the ground here to adjust to different climate?

I've had good luck ordering from 3 different edible landscaping nurseries up in that area. I don't know about that particular one, though. Tree peonies aren't too delicate- the one i bought was sold through a big box, and i would imagine the conditions it was shipped and held in were worse than ordering one and having it directly sent to you. Who knows where it was grown? The thing i watch for is to be sure i get cultivars that can take the difference not so much in temp as humidity levels offered from here to there. I don't know that that is a factor with peonies.

Do you remember when you saw the tree peonies in the big box stores? Was it recently? Honestly, I've been in love with them for at least 8 years. I finally bought them in my old home and they were two years in the ground, and I was just about to enjoy my first bloom season . . . and we moved to NC. I immediately bought some from (yes, I've learned my lesson -- Direct Gardening) and of course the sticks they sent never bloomed. Sigh. So, because I spent over $70.00 on two measly sticks, I haven't wanted to buy anymore. But I love them, and I really want to try again. So, I found this site and they're reasonably priced $18.00 for 1 gallon pots, so I figured I'd try again. I'm really hoping that the third time is a charm. However, I'd rather just buy one locally if I could to save on shipping etc. If anyone can recall seeing them locally, I'd love your recommendations. Thank you.

I ordered several Japanese maples from Whitman Farms last spring. Their prices were good, and the trees were healthy and well-packed. They have a nice selection of JM varieties for prices lower than most places.

oh, no it wasn't recently, sorry. In fact i haven't seen them anywhere for a long time (logan's maybe). I'd say it was 8-10 years ago. They only showed up for a yr or 2- because after the fist one bloomed, i'd have gone out and bought more but never saw them there again. I love my peonies, esp the tree one. :)

I bought one last year at Logan's Trading Co. in downtown Raleigh for just under $20. They had a few this winter also. I am there every weekend but I didn't look for them so I don't know if they still have them. I know they have garden peonies and they may have larger and therefore more expensive tree peonies out in the perennial area.

I've seen them at Garden Supply of Cary in years past. You might call them and see if they have any this year.

Most places sell them in the late winter before things heat up. Most large garden centers around Raleigh sell them for over $100 when they are blooming sized. And they are pretty clear on not refunding your money if they fail to grow here. Evidently they are difficult to grow in this area.

There is a nice purple one out at the JC Raulston Arboretum that has survived years in the ground. I bought one the same color but not the same name when I found mine at Logan's.

Plant Delights has some of the new hybrid garden/tree peonies - they are stunning, I will be buying one one of these days. They seem to be all over $100 but they are very large and healthy.

Mine is the very same purple color as the one out at the arb, but is not nearly as large. It's a bit bigger than a traditional peony in plant size (4.5' wide by 3' tall), but the blooms are enormous. It took about 3 years to flower, i'd guess, and seems more susceptible to late frosts because it sets buds so big and early. The foliage is a distinct frosty purple as opposed to the herbaceous peonies which have deep red foliage as they emerge. I get lots of buds most years but it seems to abort all but 3-5. Since they are so big i don't mind too much. I lucked out at one of the swaps and a peony that i picked up turns out to be a tree peony. It's still in its pot, and has a big bud. I'm anxious to see what color it blooms. Not sure where i'll site it yet.

Another great place to see a variety of tree peonies is at duke gardens in the asiatic garden up the hill from the monet bridge. Several colors and forms. Gorgeous! They have several, all a bit bigger than mine- i'd say about 4' tall and 5' wide, but formed more like mine- ie: shrubby. The one at the arb is unusually leggy and woody, i think. It looks more like a maturish mountain laurel in form (not foliage obviously)

Thank you everyone for your replies. I think I'll go ahead and place my order with Whitman. I really cannot pass them up at this price. I won't be purchasing many plants this year (yeah right, that's the plan anyways . . .) so I can dedicate myself to babying these tree peonies.

We haven't purchased Paeonias from Lucile (Whitman), but have purchased Kousa Dogwoods from her for several years and have always been pleased with the product quality and service.
Glad you posted, as I am searching for a new source of JM's and she now has a large variety to offer. I usually purchase them as proven grafts, in 4" bands, which she currently doesn't list. Will call her and see what we can work out.
Thanks!
Rb

I just got my tree peonies today and I'm about to plant them. I know they need excellent drainage and partial sun. I hope these guys live because I've been in love with them for so long. I am completely impressed with my order. Two of my trees are at least 3 feet tall, and my other one is about two feet tall. One even has a bloom on it. It got damaged in shipping, but I'm so thrilled.

Wish me luck. Any words of advice????