Today I travelled down to Calgary for an orchid show, and was pointed in the direction of Rundle Wood Gardens if I had any interest in peonies.

I was greeted by the owner, Rodney, who graciously took the time to show me around and answer all my questions. He had a very extensive collection of species and species hybrid peonies including Paeonia obovata, Wittmann's Peony, Molly the Witch, Paeonia anomala, fernleafs and fernleaf hybirds, Paeonia vietchii, amongst others I'm sure I've forgotten. They were truly impressive specimens and Rodney was certainly knowledgeable about them. I'd recommend swinging by and visiting if you're ever in the area!

Unfortunately I visited after most of the plants were done flowering, but I was able to catch Paeonia obovata var. alba, Paeonia obovata var. japonica, and Paeonia wittmanniana in bloom.

Paeonia obovata var. alba



Paeonia wittmanniana

That's really cool, Nick! I've just become aware of some of the woodland peonies in the last few years, mine are in dry shade and are surviving and increasing slowly but aren't thriving. Did he give you lots of info about optimum growing conditions? Would be very interested in hearing what you learned!

Informative trip!
I have one seed of P. obovata var alba which has thrown a root!
Anxiously waiting for first leaf!

Unfortunately, it did not survive .

Wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

Nick--
Interesting note on woodland peonies, which are a wonderful group, and prone to crossbreeding, I'm told. I want to point out that the first two pictures you posted are not of peonies, but rather Stewartia ovata (or possibly malacodendron), both native to the southeast U.S. states. Their blooms are very similar and can have purple and even blue anthers. They bloom in June in Connecticut, so it is quite unusual that you would see this bloom even earlier in Calgary. A great find!