Which peony, Itoh, herbaceous, tree, species etc. is the darkest? I've seen that title applies to Chief Black Hawk, Bob & Black Swan.

I'm curious as to what people consider to be the closest to black. I'm hoping there is someone growing at least 2 out of the three. New nominations would be exciting too. I hope this thread isn't already in existence! I'm not trying to choose between the three, just wondering as to colouring since photographs are so tricky and bloom colour varies so much with time of day, growing conditions etc! I expect it is to a degree a matter of opinion.

My darkest in North Carolina were Black Beauty (herbaceous) and tree peony Hephestos from Adelman's.

I've been thinking about getting Dark Eyes:

I saw Black Panther at the 2019 convention, and it was the darkest I have seen. Of course, it was cut and opened inside. I planted it and Hesphestos this past Fall and both have buds, so hopefully they will bloom out and I can see how dark they are in the garden.

Hoping to see pics LG!

Here is the photo from the Convention.

Amazing!

OMG! I didn't think they could get that dark! That one's a tree peony?

The dark peony on flower show is a bit mis-leading. It became darker than in real life after come out of refrigerator.

Does that happen in the garden if you have a cool spell (but above freezing) after opening? I know many peonies fade but I hadn't considered if some might darken.

I have late freezes every year, had a blizzard Father's Day weekend last year, and have never seen peonies as dark as those cut and refrigerated in the garden. There is a little difference depending on when the cold is but nothing that dramatic.
What's the really dark Saunder's tree peony? Darker than Black Panther? Think Craig got it last year...that's the darkest one I've ever seen. I don't have a lot of dark peonies as the pictures of the pinks and whites appeal to me more, have to see the reds and darker colors IRL to judge whether it's something I'd like to grow, peony-wise. Weird I know because just about every other flower I love the dark ones, I have probably 30 different near black irises and I drool over the dark hellebore pics.

Are you thinking of Sable, Liz?

I just love all the colors. I was glad that we were at the convention together. I missed the fragrance of Ella Christiansen and Fern B, but you told me about them. I bought them both in 2019, and let's hope they bloom this year!!

Can't wait for the 2022 Convention as I will be retired then!!

It was Black Pirate, supposed to be darker than Black Panther. Craig shared a pic on FB.

I know! Really enjoyed the convention more with you there LG! Others that I've been at were wit non-peony enthusiasts, not nearly as much fun! The 2022 one will be in Ann Arbor MI and focused on the UofM historic peony garden's 100 year anniversary! Visited that garden several years ago, definitely looking forward to returning! Sure hope there are lots of member garden tours as well, those are the best!

i have Hephestos and will hopefully have a bloom or two on Black Panther this year to compare. I think Heph is more burgundy than black but it's also hard to photograph as reds/purples are hard with digital cameras.

Beautiful photos, Sulli! Both my Hesphestos and Black Panther from Adelmans have buds. Hopefully they will bloom out and I will post pix.

What a great color on these blooms, Sulli! I would love to see pics of your blooms, LG!

My Pluto TP finally shows some buds. I can post its pics when it blooms this spring. It is supposed to be a deep burgundy color.

Photo of Rockii Black Swan 2021
I wonder how long or difficult it will be to bloom double =).



2 photos of Hephestos






Kokamon

Very beautiful, David!

Very nice, David! Thanks for posting!

I saw a Japanese woody peony named Hatsugarasu aka First crow of the year aka Chu Wu, that looks fairly dark.
It had been on Cricket Hill, is on Chinapaeoniarockii, and Thepeonystore aka Idelwild.
I have not ordered from Chinapaeoniarockii, and the two I ordered from Idelwild have not bloomed yet, (one has rotted, so I wont be able to confirm the bloom for Dou Lu).
I do however like to look at the two websites for photos and names.