Species peonies

Saint Louis, MO(Zone 6a)

My first peony of the season is the amazingly early flowering P. wittmanniana.
I'm no peony specialist, but the images of P wittmanniana I see on-line are usually white w/ pink highlights so I'm not really sure, but that's what it was labeled as, so I'm going with it. At any rate, it buds up about the instant it emerges in the spring and blooms almost immediately. But the problem is of course, our late spring frosts, one of which is predicted for tonight. Supposed to get to around 29 tonight, but just for a few hours. One night only. Surely it won't do too much damage. But I figured I'd better get a picture today before the freeze hits.

Thumbnail by Weerobin
Pequannock, NJ(Zone 6b)

Very pretty! I hope you get to see it all the way open. You could try laying a flat sheet over it.

Staten Island, NY(Zone 6a)

Hi Weerobin, it's amazing that your Peonies are budding and flowering already , it's a beautiful one .My Peonies are just beginning to sprout ,and it was 30 degrees at 6 am today when hubby woke up. We are similar zones and the plants perform so different.Enjoy it's beauty, hope the weather do not affect it .

Caldwell, NJ(Zone 6a)

My peonies are just sprouting now. There are a few almost at bud and one with opening buds in the rock gardenThese rock garden types are always first to bloom, but there is a succession of bloom from lactiflorum and ending with the ITOh type so even if an individual peony blooms for only a week, a succession of types gives a longer lasting bloom time.

Saint Louis, MO(Zone 6a)

My P rockii is just starting to bloom #1
#2 is P mlokosewitschii aka Molly the Witch.

Thumbnail by Weerobin Thumbnail by Weerobin
Lake Stevens, WA(Zone 8a)

I am jealous. I really want Molly.

Pequannock, NJ(Zone 6b)

Molly the Witch is a great name! Beautiful blooms! How long do you have these and how vigorous are they?

Saint Louis, MO(Zone 6a)

They each seem to grow on autopilot.
I'm not one to fertalize or coddle plants.
Very reliable blooms past several years.
Maybe they'd be even better if I pampered them a little?
Who knows. I'm happy with them the way they are.

Elgin, IL(Zone 5a)

I love Wee's species peonies. So delicate and beautiful. I was just outside blowing kisses at my mertensia, which I could never grow in Lake County but is very happy here, and my martagons. I'll bet species peonies would like it too.

I put in some lactifloras from a Canadian company last year, and was impressed when all five bloomed. But this year they are just enormous plants.

Thumbnail by DonnaMack Thumbnail by DonnaMack
Lake Stevens, WA(Zone 8a)

A few years ago I picked out a gallon size "Molly the Witch" at a nursery, because I loved the leaves, it was only when I looked at the tag I realized it was Molly, and only $15. However, I should know better- it was summer, and I planted her in a sunny dry clay area. I actually worked hard to keep her watered, but one week I did not water for several days and that was the end, she turned brown and died. I need to plant in early spring, in places like that, so the plant has a chance to get established. I may try again, but not for the kind of prices I usually see for Molly! I might try seeds.

Saint Louis, MO(Zone 6a)

On a pure whim, I planted seeds of P wittmanniana 2 yrs ago and amazingly enough, I've got about 5 seedlings this year... Apparently takes 2 yrs to germinate. I'm not sure any will survive to maturity, but will be interesting to see.

Lake Stevens, WA(Zone 8a)

Hmm, would you be willing to save me a few seeds from Molly?

Saint Louis, MO(Zone 6a)

You'll have to remind me later in the summer. But you are certainly welcome to them.

Lake Stevens, WA(Zone 8a)

Thanks, I will!

Pequannock, NJ(Zone 6b)

Good luck with the seedlings!
Too bad about that Molly, Pistil. That is the trouble with those summer sales. You can be diligent but just miss a couple of days during a hot drought and your done. It doesn't help that many of them are root bound.

Calgary, AB(Zone 3b)

Quote from Weerobin :
On a pure whim, I planted seeds of P wittmanniana 2 yrs ago and amazingly enough, I've got about 5 seedlings this year... I'm not sure any will survive to maturity, but will be interesting to see.

Why not? I've found that species peonies actually self-sow amazingly well, providing a pretty good stream of seedlings to move around, give away or to flog at the local plant club sale! Not too many years, either, until they are blooming size. :-)

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