The peony season is on its way, despite the crazy weather that we've had this winter. I have plants in various stages from pips to buds.

The plants clearly benefited from the cold temps. Some of the buds are so far along, I can see the color of the blooms, which I hope to see on the next few weeks.

I'm really looking forward to spring blooms, and putting winter behind.

Looking good, Annette. I always love your photos.

That's wonderful, Annette! Can't wait to see growth in Co, we're in Fl right now, hopefully I'll see change when we get home tomorrow. Keep the pictures coming!

We're heading for warmer temps, with no nights below freezing for the next 10 days, and rest of the plants should put on some nice growth with the rain we're getting today and tomorrow.

Here are a few more pictures from today. We had several nights in the 20's this week, the buds luckily weren't damaged.

Thanks Arlene and Liz. The plants loved the colder weather.

Annette - mines are about to pop any day now too. We finally got some rains and the temperature took a dive this past week. But, everything is still about 2 to 3 weeks ahead of last year.

Here is one of my peony beds that are full of buds.

Gorgeous Dianne, your garden is so green and lush. It looks like you're about to get a bounty of blooms. Your plants are way ahead of mine. How old is the plant above?

Thanks, Annette.

This is part of the front yard that I removed the lawn and made peony beds in several sections. So, most of the peonies here were transplanted from somewhere else 2 years ago. The two most prominent plants are Red charm to the left which may be about 5 years old, and the one on the right is an ITOH about 4 years old - was supposed to be Singing in the Rain, but turned out to be Morning Lilac. Last year was the first time that one bloomed - that was when I found out they sent the wrong plant.

There are 5 peonies in the front area, and 7 that are behind them. I had wanted to expand the number of peonies in my garden - that was the main incentive to get rid of the lawn and make the whole front yard a garden.

I wish I could get rid of my front lawn. One day, I want to make an island between the Kwanzan cherry trees so that I can add some peonies in front. All of my plants are in the back beds.

I went to 4 nurseries looking for peonies today. Three of the four had none, but I did find plants at the 4th nursery, and I picked up another Yumi, and Takara in 5 gallon pots.

Those look nice and healthy. How much are 5-gallon pots in your area? Peonies are not grown that much here so it is difficult to find many available in the nurseries. Costco and Home depot has some, but just the common varieties. How many different varieties do you have now?

I always thought it is a shame to grow peonies in my backyard because hardly anyone ever goes there. I like them out in front where they can be enjoyed by everyone.

I have a vegetable bed out front too since that is the sunniest area in my suburban corner lot.

This is my first spring with peonies coming up, planted them last year so they are not very big or established. So excited to see them peeking up. Even tho I'm in similar zone as Annette they are just a couple inches, which is probably due to them being young roots. I will take picturese today. So excited!

I'm so envious, Annette and Dianne, gorgeous! I'll take a picture of a couple of my peony beds today and post tonight, you guys will be shocked by the difference. I'm still seeing only the tiniest hint of life in some of the older peonies. But your pictures give me hope for a few months from now here!

Hi Dianne, Takara was 59.99, and Yumi was 89.99, I thought it was also 59.99, imagine my surprise when I got home and looked at the bill😱

The nursery Pikes also has plants in 2 gallon pots for 34.99, just coming out of dormancy. They're all Monrovia grown plants. Sadly, I didn't get any of these, I already had them. This was the only nursery that had peonies when I went looking last week, of the 4 places that I checked.

Hi Judy, welcome to the peony addiction the new plants may take several years to get established, but sometimes you do get a surprise and the new plants will bloom the 1st year after planting. Several of my plants put in last fall from Adelman's and Fina Gardens have buds this year. Dinner Plate posted above is one of them.

Hi Liz, don't be envious, when the southern blooms are done, we'll be drooling over yours
and wishing we had more blooms.

Annette

So this is what my gardens look like right now. Most still have dead growth from last year, I cleaned out a few beds today.



And this, different bed, same look.




But I did move mulch away from a lot of peonies today and found swollen eyes on most, here's a few!





Jean Cowley

Leto

P. Japonica

Winterthur

Those were the first 4 I uncovered and the rest were about the same. Really excited about some of the new ones and looking forward to seeing which ones bloom this year! It'll be interesting to see if those huge roots from Fina translate into a larger shrub and more blooms 1st year or if the 3-5 eye divisions are truly better.

Annette, I was going to say that you and I were neck and neck, but your plants are advancing far faster than mine. It makes sense because of our differing climates. How exciting that you are getting your flowers soon! Here is my most advanced herbaceous:



I don't know what is wrong with me that I can't take a clear phone pic.
I'm going to get out my good camera when the flowers start blooming!

Pwin, that peony looks so healthy, and the picture is clear. I have some peonies that are still with pips while others have leafed out and are over a foot tall.

We're at 79 degrees right now, and expect temps in the 70's during the day, and the 40's to 50's at night, before we cool so I expect everything will start taking off. We will cool on Sunday, with hopefully no more temps below freezing.

Liz, I'm glad you're starting to see some activity, before you know it you'll have blooms. These plants grow so fast, I'm amazed at how much growth they can put on in a matter of days once they get going.