I ordered from 4 of the 5 you listed this year, Frank, and agree with your assessment. I was impressed with Tree Peony Garden, the lady that I talked to was very knowledgeable, professional and courteous. The prices were only slightly higher for the more common varieties than some like K van Bourgondien and the sizes were much, much bigger so more than worth it. It was obvious that they grow their own and know exactly what they're talking about.
Others that I ordered from:
A&D-good selection, prices were mid range--not cheapest or most expensive. They had a large selection and seem to always send a bonus plant. Not that I really need a bonus plant but that kind of thank you is always nice! Couldn't find the receipt in my email, sorry.
Gold City Flower Gardens--really good selection of Bigger's peonies, lots of names I'd never heard of. Prices were slightly lower than most of the big growers but not as low as GW. Roots were about the same as GW, slightly smaller than Fina.
GCF order:
BrotherChuck Brother Chuck (Klehm, RG) 1 $30.00
Centennial Centennial (Bigger 1961) 1 $20.00
ChiffonParfait Chiffon Parfait (C. Klehm 1981) 1 $20.00
LaLorraine La Lorraine (Lemoine 1901) 1 $30.00
MissDainty Miss Dainty (Bigger 1949) 1 $20.00
PastelGem Pastel Gem (Bigger 1979) 1 $20.00
PinkCameo Pink Cameo (Bigger 1954) 1 $20.00
PrairieBelle Prairie Belle (Bigger 1945) 1 $20.00
Shipping: USPS Priority mail with confirmation receipt:
$20.70
First year ordering from Solaris Farms. Their prices were comparable to Adelman's and Hollingsworth--I think all of the big growers are fairly much the same on the majority of their peonies. There does often seem to be an outlier, though, like some of the companies offering The Mackinac Grand for over $100 while others offered it for $35. Anyway, Solaris Farms root sizes were good, not exceptional, most 5-7 eyes and good sized feeder roots. My order:
Intersectional Paeonia Sequestered Sunshine 45.00
1 Herbaceous Paeonia E. B. Fernleaf 25.00
1 Herbaceous Paeonia Old Farmstead 25.00
1 Herbaceous Paeonia Moon Over Barrington 20.00
1 Herbaceous Paeonia Pink Luau 15.00
1 Select Size Woody Paeonia Age of Gold 45.00
1 Select Size Woody Paeonia Antigone 50.00
1 Shipping Out of State USPS to CO 26.50
