I thought I would share with you all an article I wrote for our local peony society chapter about a project that is underway.
Adding to the West Madison Ag Research Station Peony Garden
Tracey Nelson, Planting Coordinator
I was awakened one night quite abruptly. Whether it came from a dream or not, I am not sure. It was the night before what could have been my last open house visit to Song Sparrow in Avalon, Wisconsin. Home to fields of beauty and greenhouses filled with plants and trees so well cared for, cultivars seen in few, if any other places. Times I have treasured over the years for so many reasons.
Thoughts of preserving the beauty of the past were overwhelming. What will happen to all of those peony cultivars ultimately? The answers to these questions were not readily available. My pessimistic side was prevailing. Would these cultivars get into the hands of those that would work with them to move them forward? Or would the past be lost somehow? What, if anything, could be done in a situation that I had little control over?
Over the next several days, thoughts came through my mind, as well as memories of time spent in the Klehm Fields during APS tours over the last decade. Greenhouse tours with my daughters, visits there with friends and talks with the staff there, whom I have gotten to know over the years. There is nothing in the world like walking through a field of blooming peonies. Gratitude for the opportunities I have had to do these things also dominated my thoughts. In some way, preserving some of this era of time from generations of a family with roots in peonies, must be possible. How could this be done?
I would like to thank Scott Parker for his several hours with me over the phone, discussing possibilities that might exist to preserve some of these very special Klehm Peony Varieties. From those conversations, two ideas developed, one being the additions to the West Madison Ag Research Station of Klehm Peonies that may be worthy of Award of Landscape Merit trials and the other being the new WPS Guest Garden Program.
Next step was to explain these ideas and see if there would be any support. I emailed Cory Tischman, current WPS President, to run these rough ideas by and ask for WPS funding for these ideas. Without the funding and support from WPS, these ideas would not become a reality. Cory was enthusiastic and very supportive. Ultimately, these ideas went to the WPS Board of Directors and motions to fund both ideas passed unanimously.
From there, I asked for input on cultivars that may exhibit ALM potential, as defined by the American Peony Society. I began with Klehm cultivars that have not yet been awarded, and that by description, may fit the characteristics. Compiled a list and sent this list to a few select growers, so that they could submit comments on these cultivars or add some that I may have overlooked.
A list was compiled and Janet Hedtcke from West Madison Ag Research Station was contacted about the potential of adding these ALM potential Klehm varieties to the peony displays there. Janet was very helpful throughout this process and made room for these new additions. Their staff prepared the bed for planting, all I had to do was bring the peonies, a shovel and garden markers.
Late September, the Klehm peony varieties arrived for planting. It was tough finding a time where the soil was dry enough to plant, but ultimately there was a window. My daughter Madeline was kind enough to help me, on short notice. It took us a few hours, but we got them in and watered. And we still have some room in that bed that I hope to fill in in the coming years. Janet , from West Madison Ag Research Station shared that the peonies are very popular during bloom time and bring in a lot of visitors.
So it is, in this addition to the West Madison Ag Research Station peony bed, a bit of local history is preserved. Wisconsin and Illinois bred peonies from the Klehm Family to be shared in public gardens in Wisconsin for all to enjoy. I encourage you to visit these gardens during bloom time. Some of the varieties we added are 'White Wicker', 'Super Gal', 'Princess Bride', 'Class Act', 'Sweetie', 'Clown', 'Glory Hallelujah', 'Pink Giggles', 'Bashful Pink', 'Elk Grove', 'Clown', 'Raspberry Clown', Lancaster Imp', 'Orchid Annie', Lavender Whisper','Lavender Princess', 'Emma Klehm', 'Pink Sweet Pea' and 'Silver Daubed'.
Kanawyer!
