May be a while my learning curve is about filled up. But will be bringing it to Janesville. I prefer long vistas rather than up close. That way you do not see the mistakes. Will practice but no quarantees on posting.

I really enjoyed seeing all your photos. Renews my interest in making one bed all peonies. What do you all plant around them to get some flowers after the peonies are done (that's very early here)?

Here's my favorite new one... but I've lost track of which it is :-(

Very pretty!

Companions for peonies....gallardia, coneflowers, rudbeckia....those are later flower ideas that get going as peonies finish.

SteveFtWorth said:Do Tell fully open - sorry I thought this was a really good picture! Diann, sorry yours didn't turn out so well - I wonder why? I will post my 2nd year Do Tell blooms when they open; hopefully they'll be as vibrant as this one. I am actually really pleased as I was expecting a much "paler" peony.

I am new to cubits. Couldn't resist looking at those peony pictures. Here is a picture of my Do Tell in 2006. I will try to keep up with all the rest of you folks, but I have a really old computer. I have approximately 124 varieties of peonies, which happen to be my favorite perennial. I need time to learn how this site works. This is a new world for me, sharing on the internet. Advice is good.

Really neat. It sounds like you have quite a collection there. And the picture you posted is very beautiful! We look forward to having you here.

Here is a picture of some of my newer peonies in the last few years, plus an old family favorite. Enjoy
Early Glow
Coral N Gold
Senorita (also known as Beautiful Senorita )
My mother's unknown huge red peony
This huge red peony is actually larger than Red Charm, does anyone have a clue?

Very nice Doglover! Is it Diana Parks? (your large red peony)

Ticker: I have not seen Diana Parks, will need to do a comparison. Mother did not know the varieties she had, except I have identified Festivia Maxima.

Wow, that red is gorgeous doglover!

Oh my gosh! I am in Peony Heaven. As I looked at pictures, my mind was racing to figure out where I might put one. Argggg, I have no room!!!

Keep those pictures coming!

I live in zone 7 a/b. Right on the cusp, I suppose and I've not been around any peonies since I was a child.
What are the soil requirements to grow peonies? We have rocky, red clay for the most part so would I have to do much as far a soil preparation goes. Too, would it be a better decision to get the herbaceous ones instead of the tree peonies?
Thanks, Lee
P.S. What are the fertilizing requirements? And fragrance is important to me.

Hey Kevin, I'm right there with you on the soil! I'm having great success with my herbaceous peonies on, of all places, the west side of my house! I guess they like the soil, because surely the heat and afternoon sun are not ideal here. It took some serious labor to dig the 12-18" holes recommended for the peonies when I first planted them. Had to do it in stages, dig a little, fill with water and let soften, dig some more... I took the clay I removed and mixed it with soil conditioner and mushroom compost and then planted with that mixture.

Kelly, I do not envy you your clay.

Its a pain, very little gets planted spur-of-the moment, but it does hold the nutrients and moisture really well. Once you condition it, its fabulous! I have to remind myself when buying shrubs and trees that almost everything is going to grow significantly larger than it says on the tag (or is that the companies underestimating?)

Kelly, now that's a pretty good trade off. Taking the time to amend would be the problem for me. I don't mind mixing a big batch of good dirt up and keeping it in the bucket till I need it, but I am also a ''dig the hole and plop 'er in'' type. I wouldn't always have the patience :o)

Just getting back here. Sorry I have not posted more. New computer and need to transfer many files. here are some more of mine. doglover

Dancing Butterflies


Garden Treasure


Lights Ouit


Peppermint Stick

Here are some more. Enjoy

Silver Dawn Mix


Officinalis Rosea Plena


Officinalis Rosea Plena in comparison with hosta


Circus Circus


Red Grace

Thanks for sharing your peonies, what a treat to view such gorgeous plants at this time of year.

Nice collection Doglover!

Beautiful collection! Whoa! Spring is not far off is it? Peony time just around the corner (or two corners anyway).