peonies 2012 bloom sequence

copyright Jean Starr 1 1/20/2013

Peony season began very early in 2012, with my early tree peonies opening in mid-April. The early herbaceous types began to open as early as April 29, with several varieties following along with the other two tree peonies. I had peonies blooming in my garden from April 29 through June 3.—five full weeks. Factors that, in my experience, effect a peony’s bloom time include:

• How long it’s been in the same location, or how long ago it was planted • Its location (i.e. near a building, in semi-shade, etc.) • Its genetics: some varieties bloom later because of their ancestry • Its general health and vigor: some establish more quickly than others • Temperature and moisture in spring.

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‘Princess Chiffon’ Tree peony 4/15/2012

‘Red Charm’ Herbaceous hybrid

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‘Calypso’ Tree peony 5/1/2012

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‘Pink Hawaiian Coral’ Herbaceous hybrid

5/3/2012

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‘Ariadne’ Tree peony 5/4/2012

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‘Coral Sunset’ Herbaceous hybrid

5/5/2012

‘White Cap’ Lactiflora cultivar

5/9/2012

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‘Tom Cat’ Lactiflora cultivar

5/11/2012

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‘Salmon Glory’ Herbaceous hybrid

5/14/2012

‘Joker’ 1/20/2013 copyright Jean Starr 11

‘Joker’ Herbaceous hybrid

5/15/2012

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‘Clown’ Lactiflora cultivar

5/15/2012

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‘Lorelei’ Herbaceous hybrid

5/15/2012

‘White Wings’ Lactiflora cultivar

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‘Neon’ Lactiflora cultivar

5/15/2012

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‘Rare Flower of Frosty Dew Lactiflora cultivar

5/15/2012

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‘Judith Eileen’ Lactiflora cultivar

5/15/2012

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‘Belleville’ Herbaceous hybrid

5/16/2012

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‘Diana Parks’ Herbaceous hybrid

5/16/2012

‘Duchesse de Nemours’ Lactiflora cultivar

5/17/2012

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‘Yellow Doodle Dandy’ Intersectional hybrid

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‘Dayton’ lactiflora cultivar

5/18/2012

‘Martha’ Lactiflora cultivar

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‘Mme Ducel’ Lactiflora cultivar

5/19/2012

‘Pink Parasol Surprise’ Lactiflora cultivar

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‘Lois Kelsey’ Lactiflora cultivar

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‘Ursa Major’ Lactiflora cultivar

5/20/2012

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‘Al’s Choice’ Intersectional hybrid

5/20/2012

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‘Rozella’ Herbaceous hybrid

5/21/2012

‘The Fawn’ Lactiflora cultivar

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‘Pink Derby’ Lactiflora cultivar

Bloomed 5/23/2012

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‘Spiffy’ Lactiflora cultivar

5/24/2012

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*The peony’s registered name **herbaceous hybrid: an herbaceous peony created by two or more different herbaceous species **lactiflora cultivar: an herbaceous peony created by pollinating and harvesting seed from two or more lactiflora cultivars or species. **tree peony: more of a shrub than a tree, it forms a woody structure above ground that should not be cut back each year. Tree peonies are almost always grafted on herbaceous peony rootstock. **intersectional hybrid: a peony derived from crossing herbaceous and tree peonies. ***The date I noticed it first opened.

*‘Red Charm’ **Herbaceous hybrid

***4/29/2012

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