>PBS TOW
>Peonies on the West Coast Part 1 by James W. Waddick
>
>The intent of this brief introduction to peonies is based on two
>assumptions: 1) that this is an introduction to the whole genus and 2)
>that garden peonies are not widely grown in western gardens. I'll follow
>with some suggestions.
>
> The genus Paeonia is primarily a temperate genus of plants
> closely related to the Family Ranunculaceae, but now usually confined to
> their own Family Paeoniaceae. In many ways peonies are horticulturally
> treated as bulbs in the widest sense. Many have thick storage rots and a
> life cycle based on spring flowering/fall planted bulbs. Some bulb
> nurseries actually grow and sell dormant peonies along with the
> traditional tulips, daffodils and hyacinths.
>
> Horticulturally the genus is divided into two 'structural'
> groups: herbaceous peonies and woody peonies. Systematically they are
> best understood as four subgenera:
>
> American Native Peonies (Subgenus Onaepia)
Woody or "Tree Peonies" (Subgenus Moutan) in Part 1
> And in Part 2:Chinese Peonies (Subgenus Albiflora containing the
> single species P. lactiflora)
> Most Herbaceous Peonies (Subgenus Paeonia)
>
>Native Species
> Most gardeners, even West Coast Gardeners do not realize that
> there is one (or two) species native to the US west coast. Paeonia
> brownii ( or ssp brownii) is found in the Pacific Northwest in OR, WA,
> ID, UT WY, NV mostly in high desert sites. The closely related, P. b.
> ssp. californica (or P. californica) is found in a smaller area of
> central and southern CA in desert sites. Both have attractive foliage,
> but their dull maroon-brown flowers are hidden in the foliage and
> generally attractive only to collectors. They have proven difficult to
> grow outside their native area without extensive special care. I grow
> mine on a high raised bed for increased drainage and no added water.
> This species has the most bulb-like yearly cycle. In mild
> climates the foliage emerges in fall at the onset of rains, remains all
> winter to bloom in early spring and then goes dormant with spring/summer
> heat and dry. P. b. californica is especially intolerant to heavy frost.
>
>Woody Peonies
> The cultivated tree peonies grow from 3 to 6 feet tall (certainly
> not 'trees') and have long-lived, woody stems. There are two sub groups;
> 1) the shrubby stoloniferous P. delavayi species with red, yellow or
> white flowers, and 2) the taller forms most often found in gardens
> including P. suffruticosa, P. rockii and relatives. These have been
> cultivated for centuries, perhaps a millennium, in China and in the West
> for about 150 years.
> Woody peonies comprise as few as 3 or 4 species or as many as 10
> depending on your 'authority'. The arrangements are especially
> controversial due to the long period these have been cultivated in China.
> All are found in SW China and among the most southerly of all peonies. As
> expected these will do well in milder climates and can be grown as far
> south as Los Angeles with some understanding and proper care.
> Tree peonies can reach to seven feet and live over 100 years. A
> well-grown plant can have hundreds of flowers up to a foot across and
> inspire growers to excess. They certainly deserve to be more widely grown
> in many areas and microclimates on the Pacific Coast. They require a
> minimum winter chill for dormancy and bud production. Some growers remove
> still green foliage during the coolest season to encourage this dormancy.
> These plants are the least bulb-like in growth, but can still be
> dug and shipped bare-root when dormant in the fall like other bulbous
> plants. In the ground treat them like woody shrubs.
Continues on Part 2
Best Jim W.
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
E-fax 419-781-8594
Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +