Tag Archives: #herbaceouspeony

Peony of the Month – ‘Pink Hawaiian Coral’

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Wouldn’t a trip to Hawaii be good round about now?

To feel that warm water and soft, white sand on the feet while smiling into clear, 25°C blue skies...

Sigh...

Ok, torture over.

Until we get there, let’s bring a bit of that dream into the garden with the lovely peony ‘Pink Hawaiian Coral’.

The blooms start out rose-coral pink fading to apricot, then cream and at times all three shades can be present at once. These warm, sunset shades set against dark green foliage makes this early mid-season semi-double peony striking. It’s a great one to have in the border near a path so the subtle fragrance can be enjoyed. Registered by Roy G. Klehm in 1981, ‘Pink Hawaiian Coral’ became an APS Gold Medalist in 2000 and took home an Award of Landscape Merit in 2009.

This herbaceous perennial reaches 90cm in height making it a good cut flower.

As we know, all peonies are perennials.

But what exactly is a perennial? And what’s so great about them?

What is a perennial?

Perennial stems die down in the winter so they have a shorter growing season, typically flowering for only one season each year. Regrowing every spring for 3 years or more, they make a fantastic foundation in the garden.

Why have them?

Some reasons are:

  • Although you may spend a bit more on them initially, they can live for a very long time so are worth every penny
  • They can be propagated by division or reseeding – more free plants in your garden or to gift on to friends!
  • They are cold-hardy
  • Perennials tend to require less water and care after they’re established
  • A little pruning/dividing keeps them neat and growing vigorously, but some can be left to their own devices, often thriving on neglect
  • No matter what your specific garden conditions are – shady, dry, plagued by deer - there’s a perfectly suited perennial out there for you
  • They do well in pots and once they outgrow them they’ll happily go in the garden
  • Those that aren’t quite suited to your winter climate can be put back in a pot indoors to stay cosy during winter
  • Planting perennials that are native to your region creates a welcoming habitat for pollinators and local wildlife
  • They provide a long term service to your garden’s ecosystem – pollinators tend to stick around and multiply where the food source is sustainable and thus consistent
  • Planting perennials with staggered bloom times provides an ongoing bounty for these creatures
  • Veggie patches and fruit trees do better when surrounded by perennials as they are more likely to be pollinated

 

So why not try some Hawaii? Peonies are star perennials and ‘Pink Hawaiian Coral’ is just one of hundreds to choose from.

With our end of season sale now on you could try a few with different blooming times.

That way you and all the other creatures and plant-life in your garden can enjoy the wonderful benefits throughout the season.

Growth Cycle of the Peony

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Excited to introduce a peony to your garden this year for the first time or perhaps adding another one to your growing collection?

What can you expect when you order a peony from us?

All of our peonies are nurtured until they are at least 5 years old. This means they are well established Paeonia plants at flowering maturity when they go to their new homes. This means that your Primrose Hall Peony should flower from its very first season in your garden.

We grow all our peony plants in 100% peat free compost which is what your potted peonies will be in when they rock up at your door.

EARLY SEASON GROWTH

If you have already ordered a peony from us or are thinking about ordering one, the images to the right is what you can expect it to look like now in its early season growth, according to the 3 main types.

You can spot the early foliage easily with its bright reddish colour and this will change to green as it develops into leaves.

PLANTING

When planting your peonies out into your garden, the depth of planting is very important. If they are planted too deeply the roots will grow and produce foliage but flower production won't be as prolific or at all.

Ideally, for intersectional peonies, the buds, or growing points, should be 2-5cm below soil level – for tree or woody peonies, these should be plant about with the graft union about 15cm below the surface. Space them 60-90cm apart so they have room to spread out as they mature.

Make sure the soil is well-drained and has plenty of organic matter.

Water immediately after planting, being quite generous with the water to help settle the roots in.

WHEN WILL I SEE FLOWERS?

Typically, tree peonies are the first to bloom followed by herbaceous and intersectional. Intersectional or Itoh peonies often flower twice as long as tree peonies.

The following is a general guideline of the flowering season for peonies in the UK.

Weather conditions and your specific location will affect the timing - cooler areas will be a week or 2 later and warmer areas a week or 2 earlier. The length of time the flowers are produced is dependent on the variety chosen.

Very Early - flowering begins late April

Early - flowering begins early May

Mid - flowering begins mid-late May

Late - flowering begins early June

You can expect your Primrose Hall Peony to last for decades in the garden, producing more and more blooms each year. Primrose Hall Peonies can flower from April until July so make sure to look at the flowering times of each variety to ensure you have a continuous flower in the garden!

BUT WHICH ONE TO PICK?

Here are some examples of varieties to pick to enjoy flowers throughout the season:

Tree

Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Hana-kisoi’ (Floral Rivalry) (Japanese Tree Peony) (Early-Mid Season Flowering)

Unusual, rare and highly collectable; tree peonies are highly prized. Hana-kisoi (Floral Rivalry) has stunningly large single flowers that are a silky pink with a raspberry basal flare.

 

 

 

 

Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Okan’ (Japanese Tree Peony) (Mid-Late Season Flowering)

Unusual, rare and highly collectable; tree peonies are highly prized. Okan has large, soft yellow semi-double flowers with sturdy, stiff erect stems.

 

 

 

 

Herbaceous

Paeonia peregrina ‘Fire King’ (Peony ‘Fire King’) (Early Season Flowering)

Herbaceous perennial with glossy green divided leaves and single bright red flowers with striking yellow stamens. Relatively compact.

 

 

 

 

Paeonia 'Miss Mary' (Mid Season Flowering)

Sumptuous deep, rich red single flowers with golden stamens on floriferous herbaceous peony.

 

 

 

 

 

Or for the patio:

Paeonia ‘London’ (Patio Peony ‘London’)

Compact and free-flowering herbaceous perennial. Double deep pink flowers.

 

 

 

 

Intersectional

Paeonia ‘Pastel Splendor’ (Intersectional ‘Itoh’ Peony) (Mid Season Flowering)

Unusual and rare peony. Finely cut green foliage on sturdy framework and single to semi-double flowers that are shades of lilac, pink, cream with a deep red/purple flare at the base. The seed head is amazing for late season interest.

 

 

 

 

 

Paeonia ‘Sonoma Apricot’ (Intersectional ‘Itoh’ Peony) (Mid Season Flowering)

Unusual and rare. Finely cut green foliage on sturdy framework with large, smooth apricot fading to lemon flowers.

 

Hopefully this clears up a few of the magical mysteries of peony planting.

Please let us know if you have any questions!