Peonies – the Grand Dames of the Garden
Some of us like having old plants in our gardens in the same way that other people like having antique furniture in their homes. Peonies in our gardens are often decades old, and while everyone will protest that that is not “ancient” by any stretch of the imagination, it does show a longevity that is both welcome and heart-warming. My peonies are in the range of 30 to 40 years old. I find it deeply satisfying to know that these plants have been growing in the same location for a long time, and that they could grow for another 70 or more years, outliving me and lots of other folks in that time period.
In many respects, peonies are the grand dames of the garden. They are simply gorgeous. The entire garden scheme seems to fall around when the peonies will bloom, and how long they will last, and what will open next when the peonies are done. I imagine that many of you find yourself using the period of bloom of the peonies to gauge the timing of your garden’s life cycle, as well. The peonies are “next up” after the hyacinths, chives, lilacs, flag lilies, and other spring flowers have had their moments to shine. Here in zone 3, the peonies usually arrive before the roses by a week to 10 days, and so they give the first strong showing of summer colour that we so long for here in northern gardens. The opening of the peonies marks the turning point between spring and summer and indicates that the long, slow days of summer are truly here.
I inherited my two peony plants as established plantings in my yard. Two years ago, I added a fern leaf peony to a stretch of garden under the eaves of the house, up against a south-facing white stucco wall. In the first year, I enjoyed the beauty of at least a dozen flowers opening, but this year, to my surprise, I had only one flower. The plant is likely getting its roots running deeper this season after its heavy show of blooms in year one.
The two other peony plants in my yard are prolific bloomers, producing their beautiful displays year after year. The flowers on the west edge of the yard open at least a week before the other peony flowers are ready. The second of these two older plants is situated along the southern border of the garden, where it lies in between two large pyramidal cedars. The soil here leans to the acidic, and there is more competition for water and nutrients. However, the flowers on this plant are every bit as gorgeous, and they last longer in this shadier area of the main garden. Having this later flowering period simply prolongs that wonderful period when peonies are in full bloom in the garden.
If you would like to read a related article about the “friendship” between ants and peonies, click here.
Photos & Text: NK
Location: NK Home Garden
Photo IDs: 1307_ 26, 1307_27
Copyright: cookiebuxton.com
