I love the Cora Louise too

Those will be gorgeous Sharon! I can't get over how the prices have come down since last year. Brenda and I ordered Julia Rose and Cora Louise last year and they were $150 - $180, but we'll split them later on. Cora Louise has already 12 shoots coming up for me, so I may be able to divide this one for Brenda this fall.

This spring we've been scouring the internet for better deals, but found a nursery in Winnipeg that ordered in one of each Itoh they could get for us. So Brenda and I are sharing these:

Copper Kettle
Morning Lilac
Singing in the Rain

And Brenda is keeping all of Going Bananas and Bartzella. These were $50 each, and Brenda's son picked them up for us, so we had no shipping costs either. Needless to say, we jumped as fast as we could on this great deal!lol

From what we've been able to find on the internet and from talking to peony growers, these Itohs are very hardy and should do really well for us cold zone people. I'm certainly hoping for some blooms this year, but with this crazy weather we've been having, I hope it hasn't affected any buds that may have been thinking about growing this year.

Sharon, here is a really good site that shows all the ITOH peonies that are available worldwide...not necessarily available in Canada though.

http://www.paeo.de/name/index.html

Dr. Carsten Burkhardt has started a peony database project showing pictures and all the info about all kinds of peonies and one complete section is on ITOHs.

Did your local nursery have any other ITOHs besides the two you got yesterday?

BTW, I have a Hillary on order from Dominion Seeds. They have a sale on right now. Hillary should be arriving here next week. She was $31.50 plus $6.00 shipping and .95 guaranteed postage plus $1.92 GST for a total of $40.37. When Hillary gets big enough Laurie and I will split her and that will in turn bring the price down for each of us. We split the shipping cost, applicable phyto costs, plant cost and any taxes with all plants that we get.

We do this with a lot of plants...buy it, split it now or later thus making the plant purchases much more reasonable for our 'budgets'. What budget??

So, she will have some of my plants growing in her yard this year and I have some of her plants growing in my yard. We bought Julia Rose from Fraser's Thimble Farms last year and it is planted in my yard, but it only has 2 shoots this year. So, I think we will have to wait until next year in the fall to split her....hoping that she will have more shoots next year.

I like the ITOHs in that they are considered a zone 3 plant, have huge huge flowers and come in all the colors that a tree peony comes in. Also, they die back to the ground just like a herbaceous peony does. They are a cross between a tree peony and a herbaceous peony.

Brenda

Here is a picture of the ITOHs we got from Winnipeg this spring.

{{gwi:697074}}

The peonies were healthy and look great.

Brenda

I see the big tags that poke in the pots, looks like the same company that my nursery might of ordered from. Yes, I can't believe how much they've come down in price.

My nursery only had the two cultivars, I'll ask her to order me in more next year, I'll see how these do first before I going nuts ;)

Sharon

Jeez, okay okay, already, they're going on my list of must-have's. You guys are such enablers, LOL.

You're welcome, Pudge! Glad we could help you choose another perennial for your place!!

Brenda

You know I've noticed such a huge difference in price that sell or grow Itoh peonies. I'm wondering if tissue cultured is making the prices way cheaper and how they will compare in quality to the actual division?

Sharon

I wonder how those ROCKII tree peonies would do for us cold zoners as well?

Sharon

Here is a link that might be useful: ROCKII TREE PEONY

I've done some searching for those Rockii tree peonies before, and if I remember correctly, they are a bit more hardy than regular tree peonies, but you would still have to winter protect them to keep the old wood alive to get blooms. My thinking is that the Itoh's have the same type of flower, but don't need winter protection because they die down to the ground.....just less work on my part come fall to not have more things to cover up for winter.;0)

As for the tissue culture for peonies, I guess we'll see first hand at how well they do. Hostas and heucheras do very well from tissue culture, unlike daylilies, so we can only hope that the peonies will do well too.

I hope you're right Laurie, because I've been reading some websites that state that they only sell divisons and not TC's.

This website says that ROCKII are very cold hardy that when established have survived -40C without protection, although it would be very expensive to experiment.

Sharon

Here is a link that might be useful: THE PEONY SUPER STORE

Has anyone ever ordered from La Pivoinerie peony nursery?

Brenda, I got your email, thanks for the reply, lets hope TC peonies are unlike dayliles.

Sharon
(who is suffering from a sunburn)

Here is a link that might be useful: La Pivoinerie

Oh btw, I forgot to mention that I ordered Copper Kettle & Hillary on sale from Dominion Seeds House the other day ;)

Glad you got the email the other day Sharon.

For others...here is the just of the tissue cultured vs field grown question...

Someone else I corresponded with has had experience with Planteck plants and her experience has been excellent.

Planteck grows them in the lab but also apparently grows them in their fields and grows some to maturity so that they can verify that the plants are sturdy and bloom true.

She has 4 ITOHs and all were fine. She compared her field grown division to a plant she got from Planteck during a whole summer of growth. For the others, she compared her plants to pictures of the same ITOH. In her opinion, 'Planteck is a very careful and reliable grower'.

So, that reply, to my question, makes me satisfied that the ITOHs that I purchased this year are well worth the money I paid and that they should bloom true for me for many many years to come.

I am hoping to get Hillary in next week's mail. Dominion Seeds was to send it out in the two weeks ending May 16. So, it should arrive next week. Hopefully it is not sitting in some post office somewhere in transit for the long weekend.

Brenda

Well, that's good to hear Brenda! I've got high hopes for Cora Louise to bloom this year, but she should have been from a division, but I'll have to keep a close eye on all of them in future years.

Sharon, I don't think I've ordered peonies from that nursery, but a few years ago I did order some from a nursery in Quebec, and I think it was from Pivoines Capano, which is also in Quebec. Both of these nurseries are in my bookmarks, so I really am not sure which one I ordered from because I didn't mark it down. I'm sure they are both very good anyway.

Sunburns suck! I've got a dilly of a cold right now, and I'm sure spending the day yesterday out in the 80 km/hr wind at my yard sale didn't help it much either.:(

Here is a link that might be useful: Pivoines Capano

Looks like you sent the wind back to us, it nuts out there, so if you see my lawn furniture flying around, you'll know its mine! Colds suck too at this time of the year, get well soon so you can enjoy the season!

Thanks Laurie, I will check out Pivoines Capano, I'm on a Peony craze right now as you can probably tell. LOL

Sharon

Capano's recommends this, I don't know if I could this!

When to expect the first flowers

Although your secret desire is lot of flowers from your peony the first year following plantation, I would highly recommended that you cut all flower's buds as soon as they appear the first spring. Sorry! This will help your peony to get fully established. If you insist, keep only one flower's bud, let it bloom and cut it immediately after. It is possible that your peony do not bloom the first year after plantation. Don't worry, it should bloom the following years.

Yeah, right.....that's not likely to happen in my garden any time soon!lol

You gals are all bad!:)
I have a "prime" piece of Real Estate waiting for a special peony, and had planned on ordering another from Parkland this fall.
Just haven't found the right peachy/yellow yet.
Well...this is so rediculous, but I went to Lloyd to find some trellis's and stopped at my favorite place Wickhams to see what they had...since I was there, I had to walk through to see what was new.
And wouldn't you know it, sitting in an aisle are these Itoh Peonies. Shamelessly, I picked up Copper Kettle (although Going Bananna's was feeling awfully comfortable in the other hand, but it stayed put) LOLS
They were $49.97 plus I got 10% off.
Besides the two above, they also had Morning Lilac & Cora Louise.
These were brought in from Heritage Perennials, and looking good. (ahem... Sharon:)
Again, I must thank you all, as Copper Kettle is going to look fabulous and would of never bought an Itoh, as I didn't think they were hardy.
Deb

OMG, I just might have to take a road trip tomorrow!!!!

Fraser's Thimble Farms is also carrying the TC cultured ITOH peonies. Their price is also $50. They have a few available.

I have been corresponding with Richard from Fraser's and this is what he wrote to me yesterday about TC ITOH peonies...

Hi

So far so good on TC however the newer ones are a risk until you know they bloom true. As you know until you bloom out the first set you donÂt know if they will come true. WE have the following. Going bananas*, kopper kettle, sequestered sunshine*, julie rose, bartzella, morning lilac all at $50.00ea. The ones with * have not been bloomed out to my knowledge so they carry some tc risk. The dutch also have these guys in TC and are field growing them afterwards into larger plants. The Dutch TC plants are a different set of cultures so they all still have a TC risk as I donÂt think they have been bloomed out yet to see if they are true.

Richard

When you think of it, the only perennial I know of that having a tissue cultured plant causes problems in over half of the plants (and they still TC them anyways) is daylilies. Lilies, hostas and all kinds of other perennials work great for being tissue cultured. Maybe the ITOHs are the same. I hope so because of all the TCed ITOHs I have picked up this year.

When I told my DH that I had just the spot for a yellow peony he was quite intregued. He didn't know that peonies come in yellow. Peonies are one of his favorite flowers as he grew up with a mom who loved her hot pink bomb type peonies and always brought them into the house in June for the kitchen table.

Brenda

Have a nice drive Sharon! LOLS

and maybe you know this Brenda...but I didn't even think to check out whether or not these Itoh Peonies have any scent? Would be a tad disapointing if they didn't.
Deb

Apparently they do have a scent.

Brenda

I phoned Dominion Seed House and apparently my order hasn't been sent out so therefore I cancelled Kopper Kettle and bought all these at Wickams instead today, thanks Debbie the instigator!!! LOL. I also got a 10% discount card too, that pretty well paid for the gas to get there and back ;)

CORA LOUISE
GOING BANANAS
KOPPER KETTLE
MORNING LILAC

I also picked up....

Clematis Ville De Lyon (hopefully this time this is the true red one)
Rosa Felix Leclerc for only $10!

Sharon

Hi blanche here just been on the phone with my cousin in scotland who took delivery of a yellow peonie from Hayloft plants at a cost of 190 pounds sterling, this was for three plants and she says each one has six buds on them and she will keep me posted on their growth. I would love to add some to my 32 in total as peonies are amongst my favorite plants. Can anyone out there tell me if any nurseries stock this yellow variety, as I haven't seen any in my travels

Me thinks your credit card was smokin' Sharon! LOLS
I'm staying away from nurseries for now...too many dog show weekends planned and they really put a dent in the pocket book!
Sure hope Going Banana's is still there at Wickhams first thing in July, when they have their buy one get one free perennial sale...
Deb

Blanche, your cousin very well could have gotten some of the intersectional (Itoh) peonies that we are talking about here. 'Bartzella' and 'Going Bananas' both have yellow flowers. Check out your local nurseries to see if they are carrying them, as it seems there are a few nurseries out there this year that are for the first time.

Sharon, glad you were able to find all the ones you wanted. Now to hold our breath and see how well they bloom. ;0)

Laurie

Deb, I take cash only when I walk into a nursery, LOL, I'm too dangerous with a cc in hand. It's my play money, all the extra hours and OT from fall/winter work. I don't smoke, don't drink, don't go nuts on fashion, no diamonds, no Hawaii trips and no fancy restaurants and I don't drive a fancy big car, plants are my thing ;)

I know, can't wait for the July sale at Wickams too, although I doubt they will have any Itohs left come July. In fact while I was in line to pay for my stuff, a lady behind me asked to see my ÂGoing Bananas and I explained to her all about the cross. I think she went back and bought one. LOL

Sharon

Just teasing you Sharon:) My dog showing is my expensive hobby...usually a minimum $500 for one show weekend, so that is why I not only work full time at the hospital, I do catering evenings and weekends for a friend.
And the odds of "Going Bananas" still being there in July are getting slimmer and slimmer all to your helpful advice at the counter! LOLS
Deb

I received my peony order yesterday from La Pivoinerie, wow, do they ever send healthy huge roots!

This is what I got, if it doesn't rain tomorrow, I'll be planting ;)

Bev
Coral Charm
Missie's Blush
Show Girl
P. mollis - gift

Sharon

Sharon, let me know how your mollis grows. Mine is tiny but bloomed very nicely this year. Maybe it's naturally short - i probably never checked to see what the normal height is.

One website says its small, 12 - 14" plant habit.

I can't understand why you people are doing this! Didn't I just say that after spending $220.00 on my Prairie Splendor Maple tree that my budget is gone. Why are you "forcing" me to spend yet more money by providing me with so much information and beautiful pictures!
Stan

Sharon, that's about how tall mine is. I must learn to pay more attention.

Stanly, be strong!!

Well Stan, I'll trade you my 5 new peonies for your Maple ;)

I should be getting more from Parkland Perennials soon.
P. tenuifolia rubra plena Double Fern Leaf (the one that I have in my garden already is not double)
Buckeye Bell
Do Tell
Sword Dance

Sharon

I also ordered Buckeye Belle this year - someone's photos here (Laurie?, Brenda?) sold me on that one. The other new ones coming are Laura Dessert and Dixie.

Must be Laurie's picture you saw of Buckeye Belle, Pudge. I just bought mine this year at a Jeffrey's Nursery in Portage La Prairie and it needs to go into its permanent spot yet. Can hardly wait until mine blooms here though.

Brenda

Laurie is such a bad influence on us all. LOL!!! I tried to order Buckeye Belle this spring too. Unfortunately one place wanted to substitute....I said no. And the other place was sold out. :(

Ohhhhhh Brenda, I have a place to plant it right over here...... ;)

Sierra :)

Sierra, did you try Parkland?

Yeah, Laurie is such an Instigator!

Sharon

Hello fellow gardeners,
I just joined up on this site and am so enjoying all your discusions. I live in Edmonton now after purchasing the house I gew up in from my father. I have two peonies here that are at least 62 years old and desperately need dividing. I have no idea what their names are but the white one looks like Festiva Maxima and it's anyones guess on the red one. Both are very healthy and bloom profusely. Late bloomers. Anyone looking for a cut can contact me. 10.00 for big root I planted 120 peonies last year, most from out of town growers including Bob at Parkland. The only ones that did not come up (8) were the ones I bought from mail order garden centers such as McFayden's. One of them being Buckeye Belle which I replaced this year from Parkland.
I am just starting my garden here but have put in lots of perennials such as daylillies, asiatics, irises.......anything that blooms!I can't say I have tons of experience but I love to talk shop. I try to keep everyone organized and catalogued Must keep up with my namesake. I welcome your responses. In the meantime, I hope all are enjoying this beautiful fall we are experiencing.
Happy planting1

Virginia Garden
Gairden's Shelties
Edmonton

Welcome Virginia to the FN forum! 120 Peonies, wow, I like you already! LOL

I'm sure you'll fit right in with the rest of us ;)

Enjoy!
Sharon

Thanks Sharon. Most of my friends think I am crazy but I don't really care. I don't drink, smoke, shop, take holidays, tan, do my nails, or dress to the nines. I have to have some vices. So gardening is my pick and I think there could be a lot worse. I also raise shelties and take care of Dad so I am home a lot.
I put all my peonies in the 1300 square foot vegie garden for the time being. We hope to relandscape this yard and I don't have 7 kids to feed so I would rather have flowers anyway. I did save some room for vegies and there is a lot of lawn I still want to dig up.
So I'm flower crazy. I'm obviously with the right crowd!

Virginia

Yesterday I planted up a couple peonies that I got from Parkland. I ordered:
Do Tell
Maestro
In 2006 I was thrilled with his peonies. Last year, not so much. He sent much smaller divisions. This year, I am very pleased again.
I am also waiting on a order from Ferncliff Gardens. I am expecting it this week. I ordered:
Coral Supreme
Coral Sunset
Coral and Gold

And I still have Koppper Kettle in a pot. I am not sure where I want to put this one.

Shelley

Welcome Virginia! It sure sounds like you're in the right place.;0)

Shelley, I'm envious that you got Do Tell. I'd love to get it, but room is starting to become a factor already.:( I was able to take 2 divisions off of my Coral 'n Gold last night for the farmer's market tomorrow, and apparently they're both spoken for already. It's a very unusual colour that always grabs people's attention, so I know you'll love it.

Laurie (aka "The Instigator")LOL

Good to know Laurie. I really wasn't going to order Coral and Gold. I really only wanted the other 2. But if I bought the coral collection....the extra cost was only $5 for the extra peony.
I just got the bunch yesterday. Very nice root systems on these peonies from Ferncliff.

Shelley