Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Fern-Leafed Peony

There is a very unique Peony that blooms earlier than the other peonies. It is a Fern-leafed variety. It's real name is Paeonia tenuifolia 'Rubra Plena' or 'Rubra Flora Plena'...depending on who you listen too. It is rumored that this plant is an old heirloom variety that made it's way around the United States by covered wagon. I was lucky enough to have one in my gardens in North Dakota, but I left it there when we moved. I do not have one here. However, I know where one is located..at the local cemetery, Chance and I have been following this plant very closely.

June 01, 2009



June 10, 2009 at sunset.
June 13, 2009
If you decide that you cannot live without this plant, then find one at your local homegrown garden center that sells perennials, be prepared to part with about 50 dollars. Now for the burning question that follows: Are ants really required in order for Peonies to bloom? I believe that ants help the many layered buds to open, and they are naturally attracted to peonies, that's why they are so often seen on peonies. Peonies are like a sweet desert buffet for ants. Will a peony bloom without ants..yes, but it will be lonely without all those ants that come marching in to herald the grand opening of the peonies.. Hurrah, Hurrah!!

This time of year at the old country church the ladies would bring in peonies for the vases on the alter, their heavy fragrance would fill the church. It was like a passing rite of spring into summer..Lilacs, Iris, Peony, followed by mixed bouquets and ending with the Gladiola's in August.

Yesterday The Duchess and Emma Rose featured the birth of a peony over on The Royal Photo Blog. It is definitely worth a visit! :)

20 comments:

Emma Rose said...

Outstanding! Fantastic! Spectacular! I have never seen a peony like that. Now I must have one! Your pictures are just glorious. And, of course, we are especially fond of the last one :) I never knew about the ants either. (I must be a pea-brain.)
Thank you for adding us to your post! How sweet!

RURAL said...

Wonderful capture of color. Reds and hot pinks are so hard for my camera to get. Love the B & W with red, Chance is looking wonderful as usual.

Jen

RURAL said...

Oh, I forgot to say, when these first came out, there was a literal stampede to the cash register to be the first to have it planted in their garden. Must have been the day after the big garden club meeting and peony unveiling. Gardeners were fighting over the remaining few we had left.

Still can see them up in the perennial section, "it's mine, no it's mine!"

Jen

Unknown said...

You are full of information! I've never seen one of these before, it is BEAUTIFUL! I love that picture of Chance with the peony. I'd turn that into a post card.;D

Rae said...

It is awesome. So unique. Love that Chance. It's not fair to the peony to put him in the picture. He steals the show. I want to hug him.

Mary said...

Thank you for sharing this. I didn't know peonies could look like that. I will have to keep my eyes open for them now.

Becca's Dirt said...

What an interesting plant. I have never heard of this peony. I wish we could grow peonies here. Our weather is too hot.

Anonymous said...

I had not heard of or seen this fern leaf peony before. It is really pretty, especially a stand out with Chance posed beside it. The black, white and red are so pretty together.

Leah said...

Oh dear...(as Grandma would say) -- she had a peony plant like this but it didn't make it and I know my mother and mother-in-law have both bought them -- I'm not sure they were successful though. Now the ants.... I usually get ants in my laundryroom and downstairs bathroom but this year they are determined to be in my livingroom. My husband says that they are terribly thick all over the yard... Could it be that I planted three of Grandma's peony plants in the yard and the ants are having a grand "welcome to your new home" party!

Julia said...

I had not heard of or seen this fern leaf peony before. It is really pretty,I wonder if it would take the salt air we have here near the beach..will have it check it out
Julia ♥

Girl Tornado said...

I love this fern-leafed variety, how unusual and gorgeous! I had a peony at my bungalow in Ohio, and of course left it there. But I love them for their scent too!

That's a great picture of Chance with the peony... FRAME IT! ;)

Anonymous said...

Wow - that is a unique flower... and so gorgeous. What great shots.

Lori Skoog said...

I have never seen this version. Fabulous! Went back and looked at all your photos...the iris shots are great too.

Nancy said...

Wow how cool! We just got some "regular" beautiful peonies. Hubby always wanted them. I MUST show him these!
You took some wonderful shots...love the one with the pup!

Nancy

Debbie said...

What a very unusual peony and how beautiful it is!! I want one!! I love the lacy foliage behind the vivid red flower....very striking. And doesn't Chance look handsome as can be posing like a statue next to it! God he's cute!

Karmyn R said...

That is a very unusual but beautiful peony! I love it (and now want one).

I have two peonies. Ten years ago a neighbor gave us his peony....it was 40 years old and when we dried to dig it up, it was so large we had to divide the thing.

Five years later we moved and had to divide it again to take it with us to our new house. It is still thriving. A new peony I purchased three years ago has done NOTHING.

The Retired One said...

That is such a unique plant...I love peonies.
Do you know if it would grown in such a cold zone as we live in? (Zone 3)???

Unknown said...

I love that! I've never seen one like that before. My peonies have yet to bloom. Seems so late this year.
Chance looks so handsome in the background of that last pic! Love it!

Anonymous said...

I've loved peonies since I was a child.. My grandmother had them growing next to the house along her driveway. They always smelled so great. Yours are really lovely and bright.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Pamela said...

hey... what happens to the plant after it blooms. One thing I don't care for about our peony is all the room they take up (not a huge area here for our flowers) ... and the short time they bloom.

At least that one has showy greenery.