All my other peonies are up or have little buds, but my double Fernleaf hasn't put up any pips. I tried to put it in full sun, but a dry part of the garden. It bloomed last year. Of course, this was the peony I enjoyed the most! Should I dig around and decide if it died? Should I wait since disturbing it might kill it? Have you had peonies not do anything one year, then comeback the next?
Name: SoCal Orange County (Zone 10a) Lazy Gardener or Melonator
I think I did, this is Command Performance, it didn't come up one year, then I thought it was dead, I threw it in my compost bin, then I found it had a pip, so I planted it and I forgot where I planted it. Here it is today.
Actually double fernleaf is an early bloomer, if you have others up it should be as well unless the others above ground are other very early species peonies. I wouldn't dig around, could be that it's just deeper than the others and will emerge soon. Was it already in the ground when it bloomed last year? How long in place?
Liz, I planted it 2 falls ago and it bloomed last year on one stalk. It really should be up. It is 2 weeks ahead of all others. It isn't very deep (1 inch max). I guess I'll wait, since digging around won't help.
Fina is sold out, although I might contact them if it doesn't come up and see if they could possibly help. Does anyone else reputable have the double fernleaf?
Fernleafs are very popular, they do tend to sell out quickly. Fernleaf hybrids are easier to find. Hidden Springs tends to carry more species than the others in general but if they're sold out I don't have any other ideas online. Might have better luck looking at local nurseries that sell peonies, I've seen both single and double reds sold locally, they're pretty expensive, though.
Annie, Hidden Springs has Officinalis rubra plena (double red fern leaf) for $39.99 right now. Last year in June they offered a Memorial Day special that I bought. Double red, white, and pink for $69. The have not emerged yet but have nice white pips getting ready to emerge. I will let you know the timing.
Double fern leafs are very fussy about drainage. If it is in a place at all wet, you have a very good chance of losing it. Other peonies may very well do great in that same spot that a fern leaf fails. I lost a couple before I was successful. I ended up planting on a slope. And over the years I will say not a lot of growers will guarantee they live because of their needs/fussiness.
Hopefully yours emerges Annie. If you had one stem last year that is a reason for hope though. Keep us posted.
Tracey, that is good advice. I have been checking on my fernleaf peonies, and so far nothing is showing above ground. I am hoping that the flood didn't kill mine.
LG - My garden grows with love and a lot of hard work.
Cleaning up that area and adding bone meal I found 2 shoots covered by rocks. (Moved by ducks, I'm sure.) So they are not dead, just late due to the rocks shading them. So very excited!!!
I also supposeably have a fernleaf hybrid from Wild, but last year the leaves were typical peony and it didn't bloom. Wild won't confirm or replace until it blooms, so we will see this year. If the double fernleaf popped up late, maybe the fernleaf hybrid will catch so luck and bloom too!
