I have both but only Moon River has bloomed the first year only. When I was in grade school, a woman my mother knew gave her two large vase full of jumbo peonies with many side buds from her garden that were a blush soft pink hue. The blushing has a luminous hue in the light which was very pretty and they were richly fragrant. This is why I developed a keen interest on blush peonies. Nothing like the peonies growing in our own garden. The crisp rose scent with that unique soapy Lactiflora note suggest it could have been possibly Myrtle Gentry or Auten's Pride. Both of which I also purchased but is unsure whether they're true to name. But neither of these two are noted with this quality. I have seen many soft pink and blushed peonies with a pretty glow to it though that aren't noted either for luminosity.
Both cultivar look very similar to me. Can anyone that grow both give their input on the scent and luminous quality. Moonstone is named and known for its luminosity but only one online seller has described Moon River as luminescent. To me personally Moon River didn't have much of luminous glow in person but it could be I left it on the plant rather than taken it indoor under transmitted lighting.

Not sure where you are in WA (assume that is the state), but it might be best to visit Adelman's in Salem, OR. Brooks is there too. I am new to peonies, but I can tell you just from ordering that not only are some places better and bigger roots, they also are true to name. Adelman's is one of the best..they even have potted ones at the farm in spring. Brooks is close to them and is quality, too If it isn't too far, you could smell and see them and maybe get the one you want. A&D is near Seattle and has lots of potted ones, many old varieties..you could go in spring and see.

From listening to others...correct id is much better with specialty growers and they might even be able to point you to the one you want. Peonies are effected by climate and growing conditions too, so many places won't list scent because of that. Adelman's e-mailed me promptly when I asked a question.

I'm sure someone with more knowledge than me will help, but we are in a good location to go see.

Sandsock said:Not sure where you are in WA (assume that is the state), but it might be best to visit Adelman's in Salem, OR. Brooks is there too. I am new to peonies, but I can tell you just from ordering that not only are some places better and bigger roots, they also are true to name. Adelman's is one of the best..they even have potted ones at the farm in spring. Brooks is close to them and is quality, too If it isn't too far, you could smell and see them and maybe get the one you want. A&D is near Seattle and has lots of potted ones, many old varieties..you could go in spring and see.

From listening to others...correct id is much better with specialty growers and they might even be able to point you to the one you want. Peonies are effected by climate and growing conditions too, so many places won't list scent because of that. Adelman's e-mailed me promptly when I asked a question.

I'm sure someone with more knowledge than me will help, but we are in a good location to go see.

Thank you Annie. I'm located in the Seattle area and have heard of both A&D and Adelman's. I wished I purchased locally from these two sources prior to getting scammed on eBay with two seller sending seedlings. I gotten a nasty experience from green garden & garlic farm where I received poorly trimmed roots with just the crowns and at one that bloomed ended up being the wrong cultivar. The owner himself even call me out as a liar, denying the email don't match the order # where even though I have the receipt of payment.
It's unlikely I'll be purchasing any new peony in a while as I'm getting settle down and have to plant the current ones in the spring.

TransitGarden! I agree with everything what Annie wrote. And I also had a bad experience with one ebay seller, never buy peonies there any more though there could be good sellers also. I am pretty sure if you dealt with such aggressive seller you got misID peonies. I would get rid of them and buy what you really want from a good source. You are lucky to be able to have Adelman's, Brooks and A&D close to you because climate does play a role regarding fragrance. I grow Moonstone and it is one of my favorites - very nice and fragrant.

anyagoro said: TransitGarden! I agree with everything what Annie wrote. And I also had a bad experience with one ebay seller, never buy peonies there any more though there could be good sellers also. I am pretty sure if you dealt with such aggressive seller you got misID peonies. I would get rid of them and buy what you really want from a good source. You are lucky to be able to have Adelman's, Brooks and A&D close to you because climate does play a role regarding fragrance. I grow Moonstone and it is one of my favorites - very nice and fragrant.

Your moonstone is gorgeous! I think the luminous glow is difficult to capture in photography though, I've seen it in photos before. I think there has to be the right back drop lightings for it to be captured. The petals are almost translucent when you see that lovely glow. Yeah I really wished I purchased and supported the local growers nearby instead of buying most of them across the country or imported from Holland.
The eastern coast and Midwest has the right colder climate for them to bloom well there. I'm hoping to have the privilege of seeing moonstone bloom in the near future. I also purchased Walter Faxon whom is also historically noted for that luminosity.

See when A&D is open (since they do potted)...although with all our shutdowns...Also there is a huge peony farm in the Skagit Valley...look on Floret's blog, but it may not be open to the public.