Herbaceous peonies are one of the most versatile perennials in the modern garden. They are valued for their drought tolerance. Pioneers packed away roots of Paeonia officinalis for the long journey west in their "Prairie Schooners" at the conclusion of the American Civil War in 1865. Space was a luxury in any covered wagon. The existence of a "piney toe" (a dormant peony eye with attached root) among a handful of family possessions indicates the settlers treasured the durability of this plant.

The current scope of development in suburban Powhatan County, Virginia, has led to considerable wildlife damage to the home landscape. Peonies thrive in rural gardens, thanks to the bitter taste of phenol compounds found in the plant's foliage and flowers. Deer, in particular, have been a major nuisance for local homeowners. Peonies grown in the right setting can be an excellent choice to combat this problem.

Herbaceous peonies have undergone considerable hybrid development over the past century. They have held considerable value as cut flowers. Growers pick them in bud stage for transportation over long distances. Flowers will still open at room temperature after buds have been placed in refrigeration for up to six weeks!

Modern breeders continue to push the envelope on color and form. The general public is familiar with the double form. These peony flowers usually have a single row of guard petals with the stamens and carpels of the center transformed into petaloids. The "bomb" form is probably the most noteworthy of all double blooms with its high intensity of petals in the center of the flower.

The Joyce Lockatell Memorial Garden wishes to highlight some of the other peony forms not often seen in today's local gardens. The Japanese hybrids are the most unique. They feature a center of heavier and wider colored staminodes (sterile stamens) surrounded by five or more guard petals. Wider petaloids often push their way through the staminodes to add further color to the bloom.

Singles are starting to see more interest in today's market place. Even though they are not as showy as the Japanese or double forms, they can be a valuable asset for flower arrangers. These flowers feature a fertile center (pollen bearing stamens and seed bearing carpels) surrounded by five or more petals in a single layer. The semi-double flower is a fertile center surrounded by several layers of petals.

Due to warmer temperatures in late spring in Central Virginia, gardeners are encouraged to grow early to mid-season varieties. Late blooming selections should be avoided entirely. Developing buds on these plants are "cooked" by increasing temperatures in mid May leading to bloom failure. A check on peonies grown locally is a great guide to culture and performance to one of America's most treasured heirloom perennial plants.

For more information on Peonies please use the links below.

Peony Care - How to care for peonies.

Peony Availability - What we currently have available.