I bought this (not) 'Cora Louise' Itoh hybrid 2 years ago, and it's first flower opened yesterday.

Edited to add second pic, which is is closer to actual color.

I am thinking it might be 'Julia Rose', however, when I google images of Julia Rose the colors seem to blend into one another rather than the abrupt definition of colors that this one shows. Two of the petals are even split almost straight down the middle.

It's such a fascinating flower, I would love to get a definite ID on it. If anyone has seen 'Julia Rose' do this, or knows it to be another variety, I would very much appreciate the information.

*Fingers crossed that as it matures it will continue to have similarly split colored blossoms.

Wow Melissa, that's a pretty unique flower you have there! Itohs can be unstable, so every so often you'll see someone post a flower like this. Does the plant have any more buds on it? You'll have to keep us updated!

The form and colours remind me of Julia Rose, with the exception of colouring of the top part of the flower. Could it be possible that it's Hillary? Usually the blooms are more double-y, but younger plants can have a lower petal count until the plant reaches maturity. You can see a photo here of Hillary with a yellow segment of petals: http://www.contrarymarysplants...

Hi Nick,
Sadly there is only one bud this year. I wasn't expecting flowers till next year thought, so I was thrilled to have the one develop.

The reason I am guessing 'Julia Rose' is that it's the only Itoh with similar coloring offered from the place I bought this one. Though the mix up could have happened before they even got the plant.

Needless to say, next year I'll be watching the buds like a hawk for the first sign of opening!

Here are a few pics I just took to try and clarify the color. Unfortunately, I loaned my camera to a friend and these photos have all been with my phone.


The pictures from today are a bit on the cool side, but the first pic from yesterday is a bit on the warm side because the flash went off. The actual color is somewhere in between.

There is a Itoh called 'Lollipop' that this could be http://forums.gardenweb.com/di...

Here's a weird looking 'Hillary' that I bought a couple of weeks ago. I hope it blooms this way next year.



Here's what a "normal" Hillary looks like


Oh, and when I was at that nursery, I took this photo in the fields that didn't have a name tag. I thought it was Lollipop, but it looks sort of like yours.

I don't know the id of your peony MLewis but it sure looks like a rainbow of colors. So unusual!

That flower certainly looks like it could be the same.

It has the same crisp color changes, and the two colors in your picture look to be a super match for two of the three on my bloom. I don't think I could have passed the one you saw up, it would have put an immediate hole in my wallet!

BTW: I love (both of) your 'Hillary'

Yes, as LG mentioned perhaps Lollipop is the best fit. I suppose you'll have a better idea next year. Enjoy the unique flower!

Melissa, I just love the Itohs. You don't need to support them, they come in unusual colors, and they are attractive in the garden after they bloom. There is an Itoh/intersectional thread here in the Peony forum you should check out.

Hi Melissa,

Just saw your entry about the unknown intersectional. It does resemble Lemon Dream.