Pardon the hyperbole, but it is mostly true. Something has happened, and I find it very exciting. Never mind that this has happened before, because it has never happened so spectacularly. Okay, enough with the tease, cue fanfare, here it is:
the tree peony has finally bloomed. I say
finally not because it is late (it is, in fact about a month early), but because I have been watching one bud in a state of suspended animation for over a month.
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| March 25, 2012 |
Normally, when a tree peony bud shows color, it opens within a day or two. A week ago, I was convinced that was the day, but the cool weather has held it back, but no more.
Last year was a great disappointment, with only two buds surviving to bloom, but this year a quick count reveals an unprecedented and record setting (for Squirrelhaven) 18 buds and blooms.
The identity of this plant is still in question. It is either
Paeonia suffruticosa 'Chojuraka' or
Paeonia rockii 'Ofuji Nishiki'. Both are similar, but reputedly not the same. Whatever it is, the blooms are big, blousy, lemon-scented things.
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| my hand serves as a measure of comparison |
They are a delight and a highlight of the gardening year here at Squirrelhaven. All the extra effort put in to
protect them from frosts and freezes has paid off, and it is time for celebration.
In any event, I'm not the only one excited about the blooms.
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| hoverfly |
18 comments:
Wow, what gorgeous blooms! And so large!! I would be excited, too!
They are spectacular Barb, I would be excited too...They are so worth all the work you put into saving them from freezes. Just stunning...
How thrilling to have so many this year. That peony has finally come into its own!
How beautiful! And 18 buds and blooms, that is fabulous. Congratulations.
Whoa. That is one big flower. Just gorgeous, as are your photos. As always.
This is something to raise your glass too...clink! Beautiful.
Absolutely stunning, Barb! I am putting "more tree peonies" on my wish list!
Amazing! The beauty and the bountiful proportions of the blooms! WOW!
Nice! And the blooms are so huge! We were just in Chicago for the weekend, and expected the sun to come out this afternoon. Oh well, the week ahead looks promising for the Midwest. Congrats on the Tree Peonies!
Those tree peonies are gorgeous!!! I vote for the latter of the two, though... check out a few pictures of my 'Chojuraku' tree peony here: http://blackswampgirl.blogspot.com/2009/05/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-may-2009.html
I think that your flowers seem to be much larger, and much more open. (Plus, there's much more yellow in the center than I have...) What do you think?
Congrats, it's so much of a reward when a cherished plant finally pays off.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Truly spectacular. Love it and I can see why you are excited.
Blackswamp Girl - I wonder if you have something completely different. I've seen images of it that look like mine, with dark purple, rockii-type flares. It's alll so confusing.
Whoo hoooo...this calls for celebration. Pass the wine around. What a beauty. It was well worth the wait and all the trouble to protect it.
Wow...those blooms are huge! And gorgeous! That is very exciting news. Thanks for sharing...
Such amazing plants. This reminds me of the one I have called Kamatanishiki.
Hooray! I can see why you are so excited--what gorgeous blooms and huge! Well worth the wait.
That tears it! You are the second garden blogger to brag up their tree peony, and now I NEED one!
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