Thanks Alex, I will check those out!

LG, I love Old Faithful, and whether I use it in the bed I'm working on or not, its definitely on my list. One of the vendors had a great deal on OF last year but I think they sold out before I ordered. Hoping to run into a good price again this year.

Neal, I saw a mature 'Old Faithful' on the APS convention tour last year and it is worth the price. I didn't get to ask anyone how old that plant was, but it was breathtaking ! Very tall with large blooms.

Alex, I have Illini Warrior in my wish list eversince I saw Frank's pics of IW. So majestic!

Oh wow! That is majestic!

Any of you grow Burma Ruby or I think the other I'm thinking of is Burma Midnight?

I grow Burma Midnight Neal.



In front is Paula Fay. BM's blossoms are tulip shaped.

Not as dark as I thought it may be, but I still love it- the tulip shaped blooms are appealing to me

Here's another one to consider 'The Mighty Mo'



It is more red than this photo shows.

Here are some of my darkest peonies...
The Mackinac Grand


Merry Mayshine


Mrs. Jean Erickson


Hot Chocolate


Red Charm


Red Grace


Firebird


Tree Peony Black Pirate

Oh yeah, I can't forget Ray Payton and Hot Chocolate together. :)

Diann, love those peonies as well. Which is your earliest red double?

Probably Merry Mayshine and Firebird.

gemini_sage said:I'll be extending a bed this year and plan to add several bearded irises, some roses, and a few peonies. This is where I'll want some nice dark colored ones, and I'm open to some doubles, anemone form, single, and semi double (I prefer varieties with strong stems that don't flop because I'm dreadfully lazy when it comes to providing support). Yellow or cream stamens or petaloids would be fine.

What are your favorites that fit that description?

Neal, did you purchase your peonies already? I've settled on Peony Henry Bockstoce. Thought you might be interested.

https://www.google.com/search?...

Check out 'Hot Chocolate', a very dark burgundy color. Stems are not especially strong and tend to lay over when soaked with rain. This pic is several shades lighter than actual color.

'buckeye belle' is very dark to me.
Tree peony " black panther" is very dark and the leaves are very attractive.
Yes, 'old faithful' is very dark.

Henry Bockstoce, Hot Chocolate and Old Faithful are great recommendations. I would also recommend Diana Parks as a reliable gorgeous fuller, darker peony.

Thanks Joanna, H.B. does look like a winner! I had a busier than usual summer with work and almost waited too late to order any peonies. I did miss out on Swenson's- they'd already closed for the season by the time I got around to it. I had a number of the reds recommended here chosen before I realized it was too late to order. I did get a few from Adelman's though, Ada Niva being the red I chose this time. I decided to go for some other bright colors for the bed, and planted Leslie Peck and ITOH Julia Rose in there too.

gemini_sage said:Thanks Joanna, H.B. does look like a winner! I had a busier than usual summer with work and almost waited too late to order any peonies. I did miss out on Swenson's- they'd already closed for the season by the time I got around to it. I had a number of the reds recommended here chosen before I realized it was too late to order. I did get a few from Adelman's though, Ada Niva being the red I chose this time. I decided to go for some other bright colors for the bed, and planted Leslie Peck and ITOH Julia Rose in there too.

It all sounds absolutely beautiful--I hope you'll share pictures as time goes by! I just got my HB bareroot today and will plant it tomorrow. I went for HUGE flowers and so planted Bowl of Beauty (up to 12" diameter!) and HB (up to 8"), and fragrant. I know it'll take a couple of years for them to bloom, but I figure it'll be worth the wait. The season is definitely changing!

Keep us posted!

You have made a great choice with HB, Joanna. The flowers are HUGE! It bloomed like 8" across when it is fully opened.

Joanna, where did you get Henry B.?

gemini_sage said:Joanna, where did you get Henry B.?

I got it at White Flower Farm (http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com...) but they're sold out for this season. The bareroot I got from them looks amazing!

I just found this list of suppliers and it looks like one or more may still have some available: https://www.gardenia.net/buy-p...

HTH!