Thanks Jerry. I pasted it to a note and printed it. Will try to replicate. I wonder if that would also work for rock garden plants.

Last pic of rosea. I wish I had found one years ago.

I don't know for sure but I don't think the one that we all got from Adelman is the true Pink fernleaf as shown by your pic, Jerry. The foliage is not finely cut and the color is dark pink. The one that I am looking for has green foliage that is finely cut like the single fernleaf. The color of the flower is light pink, not dark pink. Of course, nothing is wrong with the above plant. It is just different from the one that I am looking for as shown in this pic taken from the web.

Beautiful Jerry!

That is a good question to seek an answer from an expert. I began communicating with Mr. Buchite regarding my double fern leafs. He specializes in species peonies and should have the answers. Mr. Hollingsworth is another recognized peony expert so we have some options to determine if it is really a P.tenuifolia rosea or not. I do like the plant and color but, as you mentioned, the foliage is not representative of a true fern leaf. Link below does not add much to the discussion but any additional info helps.

http://www.hiddenspringsflower...

You're right, Karen, that certainly is a different peony. Mine aren't up enough to be sure about variety but the initial color of the foliage makes me think it'll look like Jerry's. I didn't save the picture posted on the Adelman's website but seem to remember it being the light pink single. Wish I'd saved that page... I even emailed them to ask if it was the species plant or a hybrid, think I'll be emailing them again about it. I don't mind another hybrid and it's a pretty flower and foliage color but it's not what was advertised. Think I'll stick with Hidden Springs from now on for the species peonies.

I am a bit disappointed that it is not the one I am seeking. However, I would still pay $30 to get this fernleaf hybrid so it works out ok. It is a lovely flower having more petals than a single and although the foliage is not as finely cut as the fernleaf specie, it still is unique and special.

I won mine on the APS auction. Here is the photo they used. It is the dark pink from Adelman's.

Thanks for the recipe Jerry!

When I dig and divide I'll re-plant is lighter soil.
Rosea is gorgeous!

I'll be in on that APS auction this year, LG! They always have things that you can't find for sale anywhere else.

Rosea in full sun and beginning to fade.



We should be able to determine its true pedigree before too long.

Jerry, why do you say you can figure its true pedigree 'before too long.' I figured you can see the plant and see the bloom. What else will show up to help you identify its lineage.

Karen had questions as to whether the P.tenuifolia rosea we had purchased from Adelman's nursery was, in fact, the species rosea. From all outward appearances, she is most likely correct. But, sometimes things are simply not quite so definite. I plan to submit some pictures to Mr. Harvey Buchite of Hidden Springs Flower Farm who should be an expert on this subject since he specializes on species plants and has had rosea for sale but not this year. Nonetheless, it is a very attractive addition to my fern leaf collection and, for $30, I shall not complain one way or the other.

Corrected source nursery. Song Sparrow is Klehm's. Jerry

Jerry for asking Mr. Buchite about this fernleaf. I wonder if it's a hybrid or a specie of its own. Please share what you find out from Mr. Buchite.

Liz, you crack me up with your crazy lady digging in the dirt story. At least you are doing it in your own gardens. LOL I'm out at work smudging the dirt around looking for peony pips. The landscape maintenance guys just laugh at me. They know me too well.

Jerry, Harvey opens Hidden Springs Flower Farm this weekend. I feel a road trip coming on.

I'd hate to hear what they were thinking as they walked away....might be funny, though!

Ticker/Diann!
Good to see you! You are a girl after my own heart. I do the same scrounging in old cemeteries.

Liz, nah, they know me too well.

Hi Billy, how ya doing?

Hi Diann. Are your peonies waking up yet? How far are you from Hidden Springs?

I think my double fernleaf will still be the first to bloom. This is how it looks today:
Hasn't grown much from last year. It actually looks to be about the same size as last year.


Rosea Fernleaf from Adelman Peonies. It is looking great with about 4 buds! I think this is a vigorous plant with very nice greyish purple color foliage.