I think supply and demand play a major role in pricing. In the iris world, it is not uncommon for a new introduction to sell for $75 and, three years later, it may be priced at $20--$25. Impulse buying can be expensive.

Some of them are just so beautiful though....

I think overall Adelmans has good pricing. When you think about the overall life expectancy of a peony, a hundred years or more even, lots of peonies are worth the cost.

Love getting the peony catalogs in the mail. It's a lovely way to spend cold nights waiting for spring, dreaming of scented gardens of spring and summer.

Tracey, I agree, they often beat out other vendors significantly. I'm assuming you've purchased from them quite a bit, have you ever had any problems with any of their plants?

No problems,with four different orders now. I met them when they were here for a APS show. And wow, do they ever know how to make arrangements of peonies. Carol has a gift in putting peonies together.

They are also coming out here next week to talk about their farm and peonies to our peony society. I'm afraid my list can only grow from here. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Glad to hear that! Sometimes when I see prices drastically less from a vendor, it gives me pause, but they had good feedback and my first order looked great.

Tracey, do you grow Old Faithful and/or Etched Salmon? Adelman's has the best price I've seen on Etched Salmon, which is one I've had my eye on for a while. Old Faithful sounds like a great plant, but I've been curious why its always pricey- thinking it may be slow to increase. Just wondering if you grow them and how they perform?

It is something I can ask them when I see them. Pricing I have always thought to be availability (newer or rare), number of divisions available and how fast they are to increase.

Etched Salmon is a very strong peony. The form is different and the color is a beautiful pink that doesn't fade here in my zone 5.

Anybody else grow that one?

I got Etched Salmon fall '13, bloomed lightly last year. It was pretty but I'm sure it'll be even better this spring. I also bought Old Faithful fall '14 after seeing it at last year's APS convention, absolutely beautiful bloom. It is supposed to be slow to increase.

I also wanted to share an email w/Adelman's that I got a response to, asking about the species pink fernleaf, the first part from me:

Hello,
Your catalog for fall 2015 is keeping conversations going on both GardenWeb and AllThingsPlants right now. Both threads were started by me when I saw the prices on a couple of peonies, P. Tenuifolia Rosea in particular. I haven't seen a pink species fernleaf offered for below $100 before now. I admit I've only become interested in fernleaf peonies in the last 3 years or so; haven't been tracking it for that long...just wanted to make sure that your offering is indeed the species peony and not one of the hybrids. Can you please confirm?
I also want you to know that I was trying to be good this year and not order so many roots. Your catalog ended that resolve! Absolutely amazing variety!
Thank you for your reply in advance!
Liz Best

and their response:
Liz,
The P. tenuifolia rosea is the species peony, not one of the hybrids. We don’t find the species peonies being that special, they don’t always grow well for everyone, some places they do really good and other places they don’t like it as much. They like the soil type and conditions they came from, and seem to take more care.
I can raise the price if you want…. Just kidding.
Thank you, thank you for being one of our customers!
Glad you enjoy the catalog!
Let me know if you have any more questions.

Kady Adelman
Adelman Peony Gardens
[email protected]

Thank you, Liz! You are the best! I don't know how you come to these wonderful findings and share them with us. Thanks to Liz for sharing info on a new peony vendor named Country Flower Garden last year, I was able to purchase a "rare" Saunders peony named Lavender for only $10. Other places sell this peony $45 or more. I guess "rare" is also like beauty in the eye of the beholder. Something I perceive as rare is not so rare in other people's gardens where this plant probably thrives and multiplies quickly.

You're very welcome, Karen! The Country Flower Garden tip came from a fellow Pinterest poster; she noticed we were pinning some of the same peonies and messaged me. She gave me the tip when she noticed some peonies I wanted, said she'd gotten them from CFG. I've found most gardening enthusiasts are very eager to share their experience and tips. Isn't it wonderful?

I got Lavender from them, too, Karen!

I can offer a comment concerning the species fern leafs. Most people tend to kill their flowers with too much kindness. The fern leafs generally came from a harsh environment and do not like a lot of tlc. Lightly fertilize, water sparingly, and give them well-drained soil, preferably mixed with coarse sand or fine pea gravel. Full sun is mandatory. I will have some pictures of my species fernies hopefully this Spring.

Thank you for the tips, Jerry. I will look forward to see your pics of them this spring.

Liz, if you get a bloom on your Lavender, please post a photo of it. I hope mine will bloom too but it may not as it was planted late. I don't know why but this spring seems the longest spring in my life!

I just read on Adelman's site a while ago that they are attending the American Peony Society Convention, and that it's going to be in Louisville! I'm going to be really busy in May, but I sure would like to go!

I had myself talked into going now that we are seriously into house/land hunting I don't think I should plan anything. Yuk. Last year was a horrible bust and here comes another. Well, at least I can garden this year.

Neal, APS is so worthwhile. I think Adelmans usually attend it. And as I mentioned earlier, Carol's peonies are beyond stunning. Amazing colors they get from that volcanic soil.

Neal. Liz went to the convention last year. She had a blast. I bet she can tell you alot about it.

I flew down there to see Adelman's gardens a few years ago. Such fun. Both walking through the fields and then walking through her actual garden set up. Saw Schreiners the same trip.

Mary, that sounds like an amazing trip. Two growers of phenomenal plants.❤️

I absolutely loved the APS convention last year, Neal. Fell in love with some of the blooms, came home and ordered 2 of the most expensive roots I've ever bought, though. I really wish I lived closer to some of the big growers, I'd spend most of the spring walking through the fields!
Karen, I'm really hoping the roots I got from CFG survived, that's the bunch that stayed in the mailbox over night and were frozen when I opened it. I just let them gradually thaw in the garage, they still seemed firm with no soggy spots when I planted them so I'm hoping I didn't kill them before even getting them in the ground! I'm planning to post pictures of every variety that I have bloom this year! So excited for bloom season!

I might have to bite on that Pink Fernleaf. I have one, but it's a pretty nice light pink. It would be interesting to have a darker pink. Thanks Liz for bringing it to our attention. Here is a picture of my pink fernleaf.