Mary, I'm glad you've been able to start gardening again. I know how it feels to not be able to work outside. Best of luck with your bed.

I have to say, I love the delphiniums behind you in your avatar. They're absolutely gorgeous. Have you posted any other pictures of them? It's the one plant that I wish would grow well in the south.

I don't think that I have although I do have lots of pictures of them. I have the Millenium series mostly although one Pacific Giant is still hanging on. I got some seeds for shorter (36") Melleniums for another part of the fence. Next year we will see how many lived.

I did get the majority of the one bed done. Just a few small spots to finish then on to starting at one end of the yard and working around cutting dead foliage and hauling it to the grinder. Last batch D did was cooking in the garden cart by the next day. Steaming and the bottom was so warm it was almost too warm to touch. Not good as that would kill the bacteria.

I placed an order with Adelman Peony Gardens for 3 peonies, Kansas, Monsieur Jules Elie, and Raspberry Sundae just to add some named color to my whites. I saw where they still had the species fern leaf red double for $50 and the species red single for $35. These are usually difficult to find this late in the season.

Mary, it sounds like you're making good progress in the garden. I did start some of the cleaning up of some of the peonies that have gone dormant, like Shimanishiki, while others are still fully green, and show no signs of dying back yet. BTW, I would love to see some pics of the delphiniums.

Jerry, your selections are wonderful! I have Kansas and Raspberry Sunday, and they both have lovely blooms. I also ordered M. Jules Elie from Adelmans. We'll have to compare tubers😁

I only started adding some named Peonies to the garden last year, and added a few reds this year. I ordered Blaze and America from Klehm's, and The Mackinac Grand, Fairy Princess, and Scarlet Ohara from Adelman's.

Did any of you notice Klehm's had The Mackinac Grand priced $140, and Adelman's offered it at $28?

Nice choices Neal. I already have Blaze, and I put in Scarlet O'Hara this past spring.

I also ordered TMG from Adelman's. Is that price from Klehm's a mistake? The discrepancy in the price between the 2 nurseries is just absolutely ridiculous!

I ordered Mackinac last year, don't remember from which nursery but there was an enormous difference in the pricing.

There's a florist/greenhouse in a neighboring town I like to visit each spring for their great assortment of annuals and perennials. They used to sell potted Peonies, and have a plot outside the greenhouses where they apparently planted the extras at the end of season. That plot of Peonies is what convinced me I NEED some modern named varieties- such gorgeous colors and forms, and with strong stems standing up without staking. Of course I realized this after they quit selling Peonies! LOL

Later last spring I lucked into finding Bartzella in a 3 gallon pot at Lowes for $39.95, and a few weeks later found Pink Hawaiian Coral at another Lowes for $15. That got me started, then later ordered 3 from Klehm's when they had a buy 2, get one free sale (Coral Charm, Flame, Do Tell). Both of the Lowe's plants bloomed nicely this spring, but Flame was the only Klehm selection to bloom (which was no surprise, I didn't really expect to see any bloom the first spring).

I got MacKinac Grand from Reath's two years or so ago. I think I paid about $80. It is huge and vigorous with tons of large blooms. This year I ordered from A&D and from HIdden Springs and was satisfied with both. Quite often Reath sends clumps, not just cuttings. I got Pink Hawaiin Coral as a freebie from him two years ago. Also Bev. PHC hasn't done much but Bev is a real keeper. Tall, strong stems, large lovely flowers in abundance. Starts pink then fades to a lovely two tone as it opens.

Anyone familiar with this one? I think it is the most expensive I have seen advertised. http://peonyparadise.com/paste...

Holy cow!! I paid that much (and more) for Lemon Chiffon several years ago but now you can get it for much less. It (Peach Elegance) is really lovely but never again. I don't think I have seen anything priced higher except maybe some tree peonies. I think she is trying to profit on it's newness like the dahlia Cafe au Lait in some places. I paid $50/bulb for Tiramasu two years ago (only ordered one but she sent me two -- pretty nice.) And a very nice lile also.

I cringe at the thought of paying more than $25 for any peony except for the fern leafs. Not many options there.

That was in my money making days. Now I look more for the $20-$30 range. And buy from Lowe's or Home Depot if possible.

Mary, how well have you liked Lemon Chiffon? I'm curious how yellow it really looks.

My limit is $30 for a Peony, and that has to be one I really drool over. Otherwise, since I'm just starting to add a few named varieties, there are lots closer to $20 I'm thrilled to acquire.

As cheap as this sounds, I labored over the decision to get Bartzella for $39.95, LOL! Funny thing was, as I'm holding the plant, standing there considering, my employer walks up and is looking for plants for the local country club. I end up picking the plants, and she handed me $40 to say thanks. Felt like God wanted me to have that Peony, and who am I to argue? LOL

It's okay. Nothing to brag about. I think Garden Treasure, an Itoh is far prettier. It is yellow. I will dig up a picture of Lemon Chiffon and one of Garden Treasure to compare.

Bartzella was $1000. back in the nineties.
They come down in price after more nurseries are propagating them.

I actually ordered Pastelegance from Adelmans this fall, just received it last weekend. All I can say is it had better survive. I didn't even consider getting it because of the price but fell in love with it at the APS convention last spring. Also got Sonoma Halo for the same reason.

You have GOT to be kidding. And I thought I was nuts for buying Lemon Chiffon. Guess I should allow others to indulge in my own addiction. lol. Kuddo's to you for going over the top. Hope they are all you hoped.

gemini_sage said:I only started adding some named Peonies to the garden last year, and added a few reds this year. I ordered Blaze and America from Klehm's, and The Mackinac Grand, Fairy Princess, and Scarlet Ohara from Adelman's.

Did any of you notice Klehm's had The Mackinac Grand priced $140, and Adelman's offered it at $28?

I noticed that as well. End up ordering 'The Mackinac Grand' from Brooks for $35. Waiting for delivery 'each day before three'.

In 2010, I purchased Fragrans, Judith Eileen, Lavon, Roselette, and Hot Chocolate in a group buy sponsored by a member of the peony forum on Cubits. I think it was Magnolia who set up the purchase. Most of the peonies were just above half price. My five were $58 plus s&h. Total was $76.70. All are doing great except for JE which is a bit spindly and has not increased as well as the others. I think they came from Hollingsworth which means they were quality peonies. That is a good way to expand one's collection if someone wanted to set up a group buy and deal with the hassles. I simply cannot justify paying nearly $100 for a plant. That $300 peony would give me a stroke.