Karen Gesu's response to my inquiry about ordering from the Peonyshop:
"Yes – 100 euro minimum. No payment comes to me – the website should automatically add the shipping/customs in. Peony Shop deals with all the money, and reimburses me for my shipping. It looks like it should all be the same as last year. We typically get the roots the first couple weeks in October – prime planting time. It takes me several days to sort them all and re-send, then of course domestic shipping time – usually 5 days or less. So I’d expect yours mid-October. Here are my detailed instructions:
PEONY SHOP CO-OP ORDER OPEN
1. Register your farm on their website. www.peonyshop.com
2. Shop the available peonies and order with their online order form. There is a minimum order of 100 euros which right now is about $106.
3. You can order as little as 1 peony of any variety - or as many as you want.
4. In your budgeting, everyone will have 4.50 euros (about $4.80) added for each peony. This covers shipping and insurance from Holland to the U.S. AND it covers domestic shipping from me to you. In addition, add 10% of your peony order for customs fees. So if I'm ordering 10 peony for $100 I'd add about $48 for shipping, and an additional $10 for customs.
5. When you check out under shipping there will be an option that says "USA Cut Flower Corporation - Collected Shipment by Karen Gesa". Choose this as your shipping method.
6. Wait for your invoice via email. Then pay 30% to Peony Shop to hold your peonies via PayPal.
7. The remainder will be due over the summer. Peony Shop is collecting all of the payment and reimbursing me for my portion. No payment should come to me.
8. Shipment is expected in October. I'll be picking up the pallets at the airport, bringing them home for sorting and re-shipment which may take a few days.
9. We're avoiding the Phytosanitary fee, and we're splitting the customs and international shipping by buying with the group! All in all some great savings esp for Lemon Chiffon, etc.
10. Plant and Enjoy!
