Hi All,

I can't imagine still getting winter weather. I feel for you! We're having premature summer weather, which isn't my preference but it's hard to complain seeing your snow pics!

I have a question: I have 6-8 yr old herbaceous peony. This is the first year several of them are only half their normal size. We've had 2 harsh winters in a row. Can cold cause die back? Or could this be voles? They've increased in size every year since I planted them, so I'm really surprised and a bit puzzled what happened. They look healthy, w/normal sized buds, but smaller bush/# of stems/ buds. I will note that every year in spring when they call for frost/freeze I would cover them all even though people said I didn't need to. I decided to try not covering them this spring and we had some sub freezing nights. Although I don't think that's the issue, because I think fewer stems emerged to begin with. I'll be interested to hear your input! Thanks!

I have about 70 peony cultivars (multiple plants of some), and they are planted in different parts of my very large farm yard. Most are in full sun and I have noticed that the few that only have half-day sun don't bloom quite as well as others. Pips started coming up on Mar. 20, and 2/3 were up by Apr. 5. The very last one to emerge (today) is 'Romantic Lace'... I had about given up on it, so I was thrilled to see it. Now most have buds, and the first 2 bloomed on May 8. Both are species: anomala veitchii and mlokosewitschii.

I tried and tried to get a good photo of the whole clump of mloko. (overcast day so I don't think too much light) and from every angle the petals looked white. But the color is perfect on the close-up of a single bloom! I remember having trouble getting true color on Bartzella last year too.
Anyway, I am really looking forward to the next few weeks as more and more peonies start to bloom. Some buds are starting to show color... this is such an exciting time in the garden! And the martagon lilies are about to start blooming also! And then the daylilies...

Usually my fernleaf hybrid is the first (since my tree peonies died - they bloomed like clockwork on about June 25. Now it looks like Nosegay will be the first. Huge pips unfurling. But my guess would be that there will be no flowers til the first of July. I am amazed that Minnesota is so far ahead of us.

First bloom, Early Scout. Updated photos. Still my only blooming peony (5/15/2015)

I won't have a bloom on ES this year. But at least it is growing and getting stronger after a very poor start. Nor will Pink Hawaiin Coral. Strong growth but I don't see any buds. Bride's Dream just showed a pip. I am happy about that as it is a particularly lovely white peony. I think I have four left that haven't shown growth one of which is a tree peony. I put azomite and a 10-10-10 fertilizer on the front beds. Will do back beds tomorrow. I need to buy more azomite and fertilizer. I bought triple phosphate, liquid. Do you think it would be okay to put that on peonies? Or maybe just save that for the lilies and dahlias.

Linda, where did you get your martagons and which ones do you like the most?? I would like to add a few to the gardens this year, but having trouble finding some.

I was pretty excited to find three buds on my Shima Daijin TP after we had our second winter last week. The buds formed on growth that came from the ground. I sure do hope that they make it all the way and I get to see my first TP blooms, as I was doubtful whether it would ever happen.

Great. It really is exciting to see your first tree peony bloom - especially in your own yard.

Nick,

Those are great news! Now we know that TPs can bloom in Zone 3.

My status report: buds are swelling, but no blooms yet.

My tree peony (new last fall) is looking stuck. Small red pips on many branches but it doesn't seem to be doing much. I do hope it is okay. Our ground is still cold even just a few inches down. Herbaceous, those that have shown up, are going gang busters. They seem more robust than before. Glad of that as some were really puny. Pink Hawaiin Coral looks like it has a tiny bud on it. Hope so as it has never bloomed before. Early scout was really iffy last year but has sent up three small stems. No bud though. No sign of Julia Rose though and only one little pip on Cora Louise. They got blasted a couple of years ago by cold and too much watering by me. They survived but have never achieved their full height/spread or number of blooms since. Oh, and no sign of Garden Treasure yet. I won't touch them though. Peonies have a way of recovering even a year or so after being stunted.

Finally, the first bud on Rockii Snow Lotus is showing white. Hope it will open this week. I am so happy. Cannot wait.

Rockii will be the first to bloom as expected. I saw this picture of Rockii several years ago, and since them I've been looking for a white flower that will bloom in the same time:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/w...

The day before yesterday I've bought Anemone canadensis to try. I really cannot tell if they will bloom in the same time till next year. If you have any other suggestions, please let me know. Thank you.

I've just realized that there are little white or ligth blue flowers blooming just below the big Rockii peony on that picture. Any idea what it migth be? There is also a pink flower on the left. It looks as a pink garden peony, but it is too early for garden peonies. Is it possible that it is some early type garden peony? I have no idea, but I am really curious. Is there any garden peony that may bloom as early as Rockii?

Glad to hear TP is possible here Nick.

Jasmin, the pink could be be something like lilac or flowering plum, which blooms early in spring.

Meanwhile, my first peony is out. It may still have only one bloom after six years, but it's very welcome.

Is that a species one Dora?
Or does it have a name?

It is P. obovata alba

I think I have that one as seeds which has NOT germinated yet.

I have tried germinating the seeds too, but have not been successful yet.

Lovely japonica. It's quite early.

Dora, your p.obvata is so pretty and pure! Does it last long?

Seems to me the bloom lasts about a week, but I'll pay more attention this year and let you know. The seedpod is attractive in the fall - black seeds on a red background.

That's a beautiful flower Dora. The red carpels are very striking.