Received my fern leaf order from Hidden Springs, species P.tenuifolia flore plena. The roots are small, as expected, since they are scarce and do not have time to develop larger root masses. The roots appear to be similar to the ones I already have so I may be lucky enough to have 5 of them. At $45 each, they were sold out almost immediately after the catalog was posted so they must be ordered early.

Looks healthy!

Sure does!

You will find that the leaves are a little larger with the underside a dusty green. Nice looking roots.

Your mention of the leaves is one reason why I wanted a true species double. The ones I have do not match the doubles mentioned in most sales literature. Mine are much shorter, about 12-14 inches rather than the 20 inches usually mentioned. Klehm's sent a catalog to me which had a P.tenuifolia ssp. lithophile which I should have ordered as part of my FL collection. $28.95 was not a bad price for a FL.

Update: I called Klehm's and they have the P.tenuifolia ssp. lithophile in stock and are still shipping. They had a 3 cultivars for two sale but I only needed the FL. My lucky day.

Received my FL from Klehm's Song Sparrow nursery this afternoon. That is what I would call 1st class service. Even the order/shipping document was in a full-sized sheet protector. I will order from them again.

I don't think that tuber/roots are small at all! When I ordered fernleaf peonies a decade ago from a mail order place, the tubers were the thickness of a pencil. Needless to say, I tried to get my money back.

How are they doing for you this spring?!

Everything is doing well but later than normal. First pic is of the species single of '09.

Species double of '12. I pinched off the blossom once it bloomed to verify correctness. One should always pinch off the buds from a new peony so more nutrients can be stored in the roots. (or that is what I read)

Ssp. lithophile of '12. It had 2 small buds which I pinched off.

Early Scout 0f '09. Not a fern leaf but a very popular hybrid with a fern leaf.

As far as root size goes, buy from a respected grower and trust their judgement. The P.tenuifolia purchased in '09 had 3 eyes, 2 of which were on stringy stolons which are not typical of regular peonies. As the pic indicates, it is now doing quite well. BEWARE OF THE CRAP LISTED ON E-BAY OR PERSONAL INTERNET SITES. I think one can trust any individuals on this forum. I choose not to sell since the possible problems outweigh any profits.

I love the Early Scout, Jerry.
I tend to appreciate more the single/simple flowers than the double, triple and so one.
Red with the yellow inside is so cool!

The Early Scout is more of a burgundy than red. Really stands out when close to a bright red such as the fernies. The singles you mentioned are also less likely to retain rainwater and bend over than the large doubles. We always have wind and rain about the time the regular peonies are in full bloom.

This morning, I saw Early Scout on sale at Gilbert Wild's. Thinking here....

Jerry, I went to Hidden Springs yesterday (Sunday, June 2nd) for their open house. I met Harvey Buchite and I have to tell you, he's a really nice man. I came home with five new peonies. P. Allan Rogers, P. My Love, P. Paladin, P. Joker, and P. White Sands. I will probably make the trip back-up there this fall. :)

Diann

I had always seen his name on the board of APS and assumed he knew his stuff when dealing with the old species peonies. I think I have ordered from HS 3 different times and never had a problem.

Yeah, he's seems pretty knowlegble. Don Hollingsworth is my first go to guy when I have questions.