Tree peony

My tree peony has 3 buds!!yes,I'm doing a happy dance.It the one thats red and white,I can't remember the name off hand.Any how.When it blooms can the blooms fertilize them selves or do I have to cross pollinate with a different tree peony?There are only 2 people locally who have them( that I know well enough).Would I need one of their flowers or can the pollen be transported.They live about 10 miles away so its highly unlikly the bees will do it for me.....

I think they're self fertile crch. Mine used to produce seeds regularly if the summer was warm enough, but someone may have had one near me (unlikely). That was a species one though (P delavayi) - not the same as you're describing........

if/when you collect seeds they will take two years to grow. the year after sowing only roots grow. the following year the shoot grows but it will take up to 5 years for them to be old enough to flower.

Mark

My tree peony bloomed the first spring after planting; no others within a mile. Seeds ripened; sown fresh indoors, transplanted outdoors, and grew and developed a woody stem first year. Now what is going on? BTW, I gave them away; I don't have room for new ones. Mine is just finishing blooming now, so hopefully seed will develop and be available for trading this fall!

Mark, you sound an expert on tree peonies. I would love to pick your brain if you are willing... check out my new thread on tree peonies...