We have been gardening up a storm over here this year. Last year we worked on the veggie garden- this year has been that English Cottage cutting garden that has been keeping us busy.
The BIG Reveal of the cutting garden is coming – I promise- but today, I thought I would share a bit more about the peonies that we are planting in the yard this year. We actually have them in 2 separate areas- and already we have seen that one area seems to be doing better than the other- the ones in the area that gets hotter sun and has a picket fence backdrop are doing really well- so something to note.
Which Varieties We Planted
When we bumped into all.those.big.peony plants at Home Depot- we first went off the tags that were on the pots as far as color and details. The first thing I would suggest you do is to google the name of the peony to get a more realistic view of what it looks like. There were some that said ‘Peony in Red’- when they are actually a hot pink.
So which ones did we go with? Here are the main varieties we planted.
Dr. Alexander Fleming
Big and BEAUTIFUL and a beautiful blushing pink color. This was a surprise one- because look at the peony- and look at the tag on it. So this is why I say google the photos if you aren’t familiar.
Kansas Peony
Bold and beautiful- and not a red which is what the tag said. I am happy about that though- we don’t have any reds in the garden and while I do love burgundy peonies- I would plant them in a separate spot.
Monsieur Jules Ellie
This one is BEYOND beautiful. I am literally obsessed with how full and BIG this peony is. Amazing.
Again- much lighter blush than the tag showed- and I am so happy about that!
Duchesse De Nemours
This is a white peony – and when I googled it showed some that were very full white ruffly peonies. The photos show a white peony with yellow stamens more looking like a tree peony. I was fine with either one- so we brought them home and incidentally have about half and half that are blooming in ruffly whites and in whites with yellow.
We also brought home Coral Charm and Sarah Bernhardt- just a couple of those. They are not blooming yet.
Since we are planning on adding to the cutting garden every spring- and are planting things now that will last through the summer and into fall- I anticipate adding more peonies to this area and would love to know which ones are your favorites and that I should add.
I have to say an unexpected dilemma- I don’t want to cut all the peonies off the plants because I love the garden blooming away too. haha. So, I take a few here and there and bring them inside so I can enjoy both.
Here is a quick REEL I put together on Instagram of a few things blooming in the yard. Stay tuned for some more fun garden videos coming your way. AND the full new garden REVEAL IS COMING.
Happy Wednesday all.
aSHLEY bERGSTROM says
OMGosh, I am the same! i LOVE THE FLOWERS IN THE GARDEN BUT WANT THEM INSIDE TOO. i JUST CAN’T BARE TO CUT THEM ALL OUT OF THE GARDEN AND BRING INSIDE. yOUR PEONIES ARE GORGEOUS AND THANK YOU FOR SAYING THE NAMES OF THEM. i THINK i MAY GIVE SOME A TRY.
Gail says
I also love peonIes but can’t
Get them to do well for
Me here in Stl mo. i am going
to try again this year your garden
Is so beautIful good job i know it is alot of work 😊
Barbara C says
Beautiful video! What a lovely garden. Do you have favorite bloomers for shadier areas in your garden?
Courtney says
I love Hydrangeas, Hellebores, Hostas for the shade areas.
SId says
Hi courTneY,
This is my first year gardening and i’M excited to start peonies in particulaR. HoWever, i’ve read that most peony plants do not flower the first year they’re planted. How established were the plants that yoy purchased and wHat time of year did yoU plant? ThaNk you so mUch!
*sorry aboUt the caps -somehow The website is oNly allowing it Like this*
Courtney says
These were fairly large plants when we bought them- so I am guessing they are 3+ years old since they are blooming already. For the newest additions to the garden- we just planted those in late March/early April.
Nataliya says
How many stems did they have? Thank you 🌹💕
Darlene says
Simply beautiful flowers and like most a favorite hands doWN!
Your gardens show the coMmitment and LabOr of love you and
Hubby shared in getting it to where it is now, but the rewards
Are oh so gloRious!
Great job guys.
Courtney says
Thank you! We are really enjoying expanding the garden areas and planting more this year.
Marian Zimmerman says
cut a few buds at marshmellow stage and they will keep in your refrig. for two weeks take out for a bouquet takes one day to open
Courtney says
Great tip- thank you!
Nataliya says
Your post COULD not Br more timely foR me. I am also planting lots of peonies this year. I BOUGHT sara b. And ALexander F. At home depo as well. But i dod not see Monsieur Jules Ellie there. Where did yiu buy it?
Thank yiu!💕💕💕
Courtney says
That is where we found them- maybe they will get more in stock at your local store.
franki Parde says
I have @ least 2 doz…most are over a hundred years stock. My great grandmother & I have “no idea” how far back hers went…”Flower Ancestry.com” anyone…the truly fragrant ones stir…dare I say, “Genetic Memories”…franki
Sally CARTER says
Beautiful Reel. I enjoyed watching it. Thanks for sharing!
RENAE says
oH HOW i LOVE PEONIES! tHEY ARE SUCH GORGEOUS FLOWERS. YOUR GARDEN IS STUNNING.
Aussie Jo says
So lovely
Wilna says
We have one peony in our garden. I was wondering if peonies prefer half shade or whether they can stand full sun? I love peonies and would not MINd a WHOLE garden of peonies and St. Joseph lilies. Thank you for sharing your garden and video. I love in South Africa.
Courtney says
They do like full sun. I would probably try to place them where they may get some shade in the afternoon if you have a spot like that. The ones we have planted in full sun do well- the ones in more shade not as well. But I think it would depend on how hot the temperature is where you are also. Maybe ask a local garden shop?
Liz says
Beautiful! What planting zone are you in?
Courtney says
In zone 9
Mary says
Good morning! I am happy to share with you A WONDERFUL peony. This is perhaps the mother of all peonY plants.It Was ORIGINALLY Brought to England in the 1700’s from Asia where it grows wild.It looks Very different from your other peony plants, but is non the less very beautiful.It blooms the first year with many wonderful fuChsia colored flowers. It is sold by BRECKS. It is worth your time looking through their produCts. As you know most peony plants take three years to produce flowers,,some of the ones that are offered by this company are outstanding ! they are definitely worth thebwaitbwhile you have so many others.
Willie Radu says
My peonies are 110 years old. They we first planted by my husband’s grandmother. I have divided them with Great success. One thing though…when They were cut as white flowers with pink edges they have changed to a bright pink in the new soil. Might that be from a difference in the composition of the new soil?
Jacqueline says
I have only about half a dozen peonies but a lot of ROSES. A thunder, LIGHTNING, and hail storm came through earlier today. After seeing all the petals strown about my yard, I wished I had cut a bouquet or two for the house. ☹️
Ms. Sinatra says
Omgosh! Beautiful flowers in your garden. Thank you for sharing & NAMIng each peony. 🌻
Mary says
I like the Monsieur Jules Ellie best. A cou of years ago. At one hou I planted three and at our vacation house, I planted two. So far, we have had one blOom with no buds in sIght. Your garden musT be a paradise.
Jenny says
Oh my, i love all of the flowers. I live in zone9 a in the Sierra Foothills. It is Calaveras County. I am in San Andreas,CA. I thought all peonies are zone 8 and lower. I am so suprised that they seem to grow so well where you are. What town are you in? I think the peonies in the Brecks catalog and mailers are beutiful. I like the I like a lot of them and the Itoh Peonies.I like MoonRiver,,Solange,and so many more. These 2 are at Brecks. Very ull and different. They look like a rose.
a
DaleAnn says
My favorite peony is Monsieur Jules Elie. It has fantastic blooms! I am going to plant some more peonies as i love them.
Hara says
Hi, love your peony garden. thanks for sharing. my favourite peony is sarah bernhart the smell is divine. why do ants like peonies? i just planted two bushes.
Judy says
My husband and i went to a peony farm this past weekend and i bought one plant, “vivid rose”. It is a beautiful pink color and actually smells like a rose!