Tree Peony, Paeonia suffructicosa 'GODAISHU' (MOON WORLD)?
These are some of our most beautiful flowers in the garden. The flowers are very large with the biggest measuring about 6" when fully open. They open during the day and close at night so it's as if you get a new flower each day.
I bought several of these white tree peonies three years ago and I'm glad to say they've thrived wonderfully. The very large white flowers have crinkly petals sort of like crepe paper. Actually when I think about it it's more like wrinkled tissue paper. Anyway the inside base of the flower is dusky red and contrasting deep yellow stamens make the plant a head turner. There are many more interesting colors to choose from, yellows, reds, purple, pinks, some with single, double or multiple petals but I think I'm satisfied with these and don't have a need to look for more.
I like the herbaceous peonies too, but I don't like the fact that they fall over all too easily. You don't have to stake the tree peonies as the woody stems are quite strong.
Here's a great nursery website suggested by Entangled that has photos of 83 kinds of tree peonies!
Klehm's Song Sparrow Nursery
posted by Ki at
5:45 PM
12 Comments:
Those are just gorgeous. I always thought I didn't have room for one, but maybe I should look harder. Our herbaceous peonies seem slow to bloom this year - they're just now showing color.
Hi entangled,
I thought the tree peonies would be difficult to grow but these seem extremely hardy and as showy as a large poppy. Although I like the herbaceous peonies too, I don't like the fact that they fall over all too easily. You don't have to stake the tree peonies as the woody stems are quite strong. I was surprised that these bloomed so early. I thought they flowered much later in the season but how can I refute the evidence right in front of me.
Entangled, I forgot to mention...don't buy the ones advertised in the cheap catalogs that all seem to come out of Ohio or Indiana. Must be one outfit that sends out tons of catalogs under different names as the pictures are often the same. Anyway I bought a collection for a pittance and guess what? They were so pitiful and one or two tried to make a valiant attempt to put out a shoot or two which quickly dried up and died. Buy it from a reliable source or at least vigorous potted plants at the local nursery.
Oh wow, those are beautiful. And I'm glad to hear that your bloodroots and trilliums reappeared after taking a year off! :)
Gorgeous! Such wonderful blooms! And, you're satisfied! I think I like that best of all! I bought one from Jackson & Perkins (what was I thinking), one of those stick things...it's alive and actually has a few leaves, but I don't think I will see blooms for a long time. You're so right...there are simply times where quality matters. Is it fragrant? Of course, with blooms like those, it doesn't really matter!
Ki, I've been ogling the tree peonies in Klehm's Song Sparrow Nursery catalog for a long time now. I, too, always had the idea that they were difficult to grow. Song Sparrow's shipping rates almost look like a deal-killer, but I've always been happy with their plants and packaging.
Hi Kim, if you have an empty spot after you pay for your fence, you should give these a try. I planted a bunch of bloodroots last year so now we have umbrellas all over our shaded garden. Funny that the plant consists of only one leaf and one flower. Stingy but nice. the Trilliums were a big surprise.
Hi Gotta, no fragrance. You almost would expect something that large would have a bit of a scent but no. This is a plant where you should buy the best quality, robust one you can find. Those little twigs from those mailorder joints don't cut it. I've seen the reds and purples but somehow the color of th e flower doesn't quite go with the leaves - makes it dull looking for some reason imo. It's usually hard to be satisfied with one kind of plant if there are many to choose from. There are so many rhodies or Japanese maples I would like to have but oddly this one color of tree peony is quite sufficient. Don't know why.
Ah Entangled, now after I just wrote to Gotta that I was satisfied with the white tree peony you're going to tempt me? I'll have to take a quick peek at Song Sparrows' website. Good thing their shipping rates are so high, should act at a deterrent right? Right?
Entangled, to use the teens vernacular, OMG! 83 varieties! 4 pages of tree peonies. It's a good thing the prices are so high or I would be tempted.
I think I spotted our peony, 'GODAISHU' (MOON WORLD) on page two. A good name for the flower. I like it and will use it. Thanks for mentioning the Klehm's Song Sparrow website...I think.
http://www.songsparrow.com/2007new/plantlist.cfm?type=Tree%20Peonies&startrow=
26&pageType=plantlist
Ki, Klehm's started life as a peony specialist in the Chicago suburbs way back when. I only learned of their mail-order retail operation a few years ago, but I've ordered something almost every year since I found them. The prices are high, no question, but the quality is very good.
Entangled, Klehm's looks like a quality outfit. I will look at their catalog more closely when I have the time. Whew, the prices are a bit upscale for me especially when you add the shipping.
I can vouch for Klehm's...the shipping is brutal, but their plants are terrific! I bought a mini-herbacous peony 'Little Song' in fall of 2005, and it bloomed great the first spring, and has even more buds this year.
Hi Lisa,
Good to know that Klehm's seems to be a wonderful mail order nursery. Please post pictures of your 'Little Song' peony when it blooms. Any clue as to why it's named that way? I took a peek at the website hoping to find your peony but it wasn't listed. I guess I'll have to wait for your photos. Wonderful to hear that it's thriving.
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