Peonies

Karl, Sarah and the Duchess

| Flower Roberts

I went away for a few days. There was a storm which dropped almost 2.5 inches of rain on my garden while I was gone.

The timing was bad for my big bloomers. I circle the garden with stakes every day I am home… but I was gone.

Big blooms do not fare well in heavy rain and wind. There were heads bent down and blooms on the ground. The double peonies had the most damage.

Karl Rosenfield was full of big floppy blooms that had to be gently shaken and supported.

Sarah Bernhardt only had a few blooms again this year. A move is in her future. I have mulched, fed and watered without much progress on her part.

Sarah Bernhardt peony

The Duchess de Nemours is thriving in her prime spot. She lost many blooms with buds on the same stalks.

Duchess de Nemours peony

I love double peonies but they do require extra support, especially in rain and wind. The doubles are worth the trouble.

Karl Rosenfield peony

They are the stars of May.

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Single Peonies Stand Alone

| Flower Roberts

This is the time of year I tour the gardens with stakes in my hand because so many flowers need support. I appreciate any that do not need help staying vertical.

Single Peonies can support themselves. I also love how their big petals flap in the breeze.

This white form is named ‘Krinkled White.’ Its blooms blush as they open.

It also has bright yellow, curly stamen to brighten the center of its face.

I do not have a name for this single pink. It looks lovely from any angle.

Every garden should have some peonies. They are a delight!

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Home to see Sarah

| Flower Roberts

I was glad I made it home to see Sarah. She is one of my favorites of all time.

‘Sarah Bernhardt’ peony

I was relieved that I did not miss seeing her in that lovely pink she is known for.

Whenever I see anything fluffy and soothingly pink I think of her.

She is famous for her beauty and performance.

It is hard to notice anything else when Sarah is performing.

I am so glad I got home while she was still fresh and delightfully gorgeous.

Sarah Bernhardt will always be a favored star in my show.

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The Beauty of Sarah B.

| Flower Roberts

Sarah is beautiful all the time, from bud to bloom, in any light.

I don’t know how she does it. I guess that’s why she is famous.

She seems delicate, but powerful.

Her bud is like a glass marble, her bloom like a floating taffeta tutu.

Sarah Bernhardt peony

Whoever named this peony named her well, Sarah Bernhardt.

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Double Trouble

| Flower Roberts

I am a sucker for those heavy, double blooms. I love them despite their neediness.

Duchess de Nemours peony

They are the over-achiever flowers. They need extra care because they go for broke blooming.

Double bloom of Bill Troutman’s poppies

Rain wreaks havoc on them. Their poor little heads bow down with the water weight.

Duchess de Nemours peony

They need staking and shaking.

Sarah Bernhardt peony

Who can resist such extravagance?

My great grandma Pearson’s pink peony from Ohio

I will shake and stake every spring because these doubles are irresistible.

Karl Rosenfield peony

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The Perfect Peony

| Flower Roberts

I love all my peonies, but some are more demanding than others.

This one, Krinkled White, asks nothing from me.

I have two. One gets morning sun the other evening sun.

They have both burst into bloom. No feeding, watering or staking.

Krinkled White poeny

The buds blush as they open.

The krinkled petals bounce in the breeze.

I feel pure love for this perfect peony.

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When Sarah Blooms

| Flower Roberts

Peony season ends with Sarah, Sarah Bernhardt that is.

Her buds appear as large marbles on the ends of long stems.

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The blooms open as delicate pink which makes me think of ballerinas.

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The blooms are heavy and must be supported in case of a shower.

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Sarah’s performance in the garden is last,

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ending peony season with a flourish of pink.

A good actress always ends with a flourish!

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Double, Double Toil and Trouble

| Flower Roberts

It’s peony(Paeonia) time here in North Carolina.

I love all types.  Singles, semi-doubles and doubles.

Krinkled White Single peony

The doubles are trouble though.

Duchess de Nemours double peony

They have such heavy blooms that they have to be staked.  Otherwise they dip down to the ground, especially after a rain.

I keep a supply of green stakes with open-ringed tops for this purpose.

Peonies like full sun and well-drained acidic soil.  They do not like to be divided.

If you must, divide them in  the fall.  Plant shallow.   Side dress with compost.

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