Peonies are a genus of woodland plants which are prized for their exceptionally large, showy flowers in late May and June.

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PAEONIA LACTIFLORA (HERBACEOUS)

There are two distinct types of Peony. Paeonia lactiflora is a herbaceous species which is a low growing (1-2') clump-forming perennial. Commonly called garden peonies, they are ideal for mixed perennial beds in full to part shade (that's 3+ hours of direct sunlight). With may being a windy month, I would be remiss to not mention that garden peonies require support. They become top heavy with their giant flowers and liable to snap when rain or wind disrupts their ornamental show. Vineyard Gardens carries specifically designed peony cages for this purpose. Make sure to pick some up with your next purchase. We carry Herbaceous peonies that are priced as low as $29.95! In the winter these die to the ground.

Paeonia lactiflora we’d like to highlight:

• Moon River (double soft cream and pink fragrant flowers)

• Sarah Bernhardt (double pink flowers)

• Coral Sunset (semi double coral blooms)

• Jan Van Leeuwen (single white flowers)

• Laura Dessert (double white flowers)

• Paul M Wild (double ruby red blooms)

• Lady Orchid (double pink flowers)

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PAEONIA X SUFFRUTICOSA (TREE PEONY)

THE SECOND MAJOR TYPE OF PEONY

It always surprises me how early the Tree Peony’s flower. If you haven’t tried them you might want to. They are an easy plant to grow, slowly becoming a fairly substantial shrub with huge single or double flowers opening in May. The Tree peony, Paeonia x suffruticosa, solves the support concerns of garden peonies with it’s persistent, slow growing, woody structure. Ideal for mixed borders and woodland edges these peonies feature the same large blooms as the garden variety, but can reach up to 6' tall with time. Our Tree Peonies are priced as low as $39.95!

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ITOH PEONIES

This year we are carrying the inter-sectional hybrid, or commonly know as Itoh peonies. During the 1940’s Toichi Itoh from Tokyo crossed the herbaceous peony with the tree peony to create the intersectional hybrid peonies, the Itoh peonies. Their characteristics are intermediate between herbaceous and tree peonies, featuring strong stems which do not require caging or other support.

These 2 cultivars are priced at $39.95

• Paeonia Itoh 'Yellow Crown': Beautiful, fragrant double yellow flowers with a hint of red at the base of the petals.

• Cora Louise: An Itoh Peony with giant double flowers with white petals and glowing dark red centers.

We carry a smaller quantity of the following:

• Itoh Old Rose Dandy

• Itoh Misaka

• Itoh Takara

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