I can imagine that shipping would be very pricey! Do you order peonies from the big growers here in the states as well? What made you select one in New Zealand? I'm going to take a look at their website, never can resist window shopping!

Just looked at their selection, I see why you'd want their tree peonies! Gorgeous selections.

Found the site interesting in that they started with 100 plants imported from the US.

Seems as if I heard that New Zealand and Australia have some of Bill Seidl's work there. He sent some stuff over there if I recall correctly.

Can't wait to see your pictures next spring, Craig! Those are amazing!

LizinElizabeth said:Can't wait to see your pictures next spring, Craig! Those are amazing!

Those are super gorgeous tree peonies, Craig! I too would love to see more pics of your tree peonies from New Zealand.

Could a person fly down there for vacation, buy some peonies and bring them back with them. Guess time of year would matter. Would have to travel in the fall (in NZ) so you could plant them in the spring here. Weird.

And yes,they are gorgeous. More so than what is available "locally"? Hard to say but they are certainly eye catching.

You could fly down there (spectacular place, long flight) they would have to be certified to make it through customs. Of course fall in NZ would mean they would be actively growing.

I don't think the roots, even without soil, would make it through customs. MAYBE with enough prep before with phyto cert and import paperwork...would be interesting to see what hoops one would have to clear to make it happen. I'm pretty sure it's harder to get plants and animals into New Zealand (I KNOW it was for Australia) than it is to get them back to the states but still...

Seeing the pics on their website makes me curious about New Zealand and Australia propagators and the unique plants they've produced. Would love to see some documentation and pictures of the most distinctive.

I know here in the states that several propagators have some amazing plants in the works. The tour we did of Solaris Farms in June was truly eye opening! I took LOADS of pics, still have tons of work to do outside so just took a quick look and am posting a couple of TP seedlings that caught my eye. The last pic isn't a seedling but is named variety Angel Choir. I remember how excited I was when I saw the plant tag--I'd ordered it from Solaris for this fall but hadn't seen it live--was oh so happy that it was going to be added to my garden!
NB-SH83

NB-SH126

NB-30, a seedling from a Seidl provided seed

Angel Choir

I started purchasing tree peonies from New Zealand three years ago because I was looking for something different. They definitely have some unique selections and I have been pleased with the results.

Liz, I was on the tour of Solaris Farm as well and it definitely was the highlight of the convention. I had a great time! One of my favorites @Nate's was Strawberry Delight:

You would have to have the correct certificates from the grower to bring them through US customs. I know bringing bulbs back from the Netherlands there have been instances where there have been bogus certificates.

Here's Honey Comb one day after first blooming

There were several on the website you gave that were absolutely gorgeous, Craig! Funny we were on the same garden tour at the same time, small world! Are you going to next year's convention in SC? I'm not sure about that one, will probably go though since it's fairly close to my daughter in TN, will probably do a family thing with a short detour for the convention since there won't be any tours of growers or any gardens with peonies blooming by then. Really looking forward to the 2018 one though--Oregon with (probably) a tour of Adelmans! I'm already looking at other growers in Oregon and Washington state to tour as well!

Honey Comb is absolutely beautiful. I can see why you'd go to the trouble and expense of buying out of country to acquire it!

Liz, I will not be going next year but I am considering going to the one in Oregon. Besides Adelmans, there are many other growers on the west coast.

Royal Albatross

I'm waiting until they publish the activities before deciding on next year's. I think the main reason they decided to have it in Raleigh is that it's the home town of Southern Peony Blog, will probably tour her garden. If there's enough tours to justify it I'll go, otherwise I might just walk through the competition to see the entries--that part is open to the public. As for 2018, I'd sign up today if it were open! I mentioned Adelmans specifically because we sat at the same table with Carol Adelman for the convention dinner and discussed it with her. I've only talked to her a couple of times but she's always been very generous with information; I also order from her every year. I'd love to see the farm as well as several others.

I went through her fields several years ago; actually quite a while ago - maybe 2003?? I don't recall her having tree peonies at that time. All I saw were rows and rows of what I thought were herbaceous.

If Joshua @ the Peony Shop can ship here with little problem, why is it so problematic to ship from NZ?

Not sure its problematic, but rather I would think the cost. Last time I was in NZ I wanted to send a box of blown glass about the size of a volleyball, the cost was astronomical. From Christchurch, just guessing I would imagine it would go to Wellington, than to SFO or LAX than to ANC.

https://www.nzpost.co.nz/tools...

Yes, with the inspections and shipping international it gets expensive!
I would like to visit Adelmans, I have been purchasing from them for several years now.
Is it expensive to purchase from Peony Shop? I would like to try them someday.