Saw some of these at Walmart today. Never seen them before. I am used to regular peonies in Ontario all over the place, but haven't seen any in Nova Scotia. I was suspicious because the same company also had Miss Kim lilacs with 'hardy shrub' on the label while the tree peonies did not. I had 2 of these lilacs and they are lovely and hardy. Has any one grown these tree peonies. Are they hardy. What are 'eyes' when referring to how deep to cover with soil.
Thanks
Lee
Japanese Tree Peonies
Lee,
How much were they?
Robb
Lee, I don't grow tree peonies, but there's a lovely one in the front garden of a house at the end of my road, so I would guess that if they're hardy here, they'd be hardy for you. The term "eyes" refers to the spots where leaves will sprout, like the "eyes" on a potato. When planting a herbaceous peony, the instructions will say to plant the root with the "eyes" just below the soil surface. I hope Walmart didn't attach herbaceous peony planting instructions to their tree peonies. Tree peonies are shrubs, so their "eyes" will be on branches, which need to be above ground. Most tree peonies are grafted onto the root of another stronger-growing peony, so I think you should plant with the graft line below ground to avoid getting branches sprouting from below the graft. That's my theory anyway. Hopefully, someone with actual experience with tree peony planting will step in and offer advice!
Robb
They were $20. I haven't planted them yet. Bought 2. Came from a company in Ont if I'm remembering correctly. Could check if you're interested.
They are grafted. Thanks. The comment re eyes I think came from another web site. I'll have a closer look tomorrow.
Lee
Lee,
I am interested in the name of the company. I would like to buy some. I live in Toronto but most of my gardening is carried out just outside Antigonish. I have started some tree peonies from seed and my first bud has appeared this year... it has taken 5-6 years. I think $20 is a very good price.
Robb