The new peonies that are growing were covered with pine straw mulch this afternoon.
Julia, when I first started growing peonies, I got them from GH Wild, and some in a box from SAMs. Of course these took several years to get to blooming size. I was a gardening newbie, and didn't know about the wonderful nurseries all over the USA that supplied peonies, I now know better. I've also gotten some from a co-op with the herbaceous peonies from Hollingsworth, and a co-op with tree peonies from Walters Gardens last spring. Our local nursery Pikes will also carry plants in the fall and the spring, and so do Lowes, and HD, but the latter 2 tend to have the more common peonies. Most recently, I got the last set of plants from Brooks Gardens.
I was at Pikes today getting garden supplies, and I asked them which peonies they were getting for this spring? They didn't know yet but told me I was to leave a wish list. I asked for Kopper Kettle. The plants that they tend to get are from Monrovia, and are beautifully grown. I couldn't believe they had Do Tell last spring.
I do have to say that I like GH Wild's prices, and they do carry a lot of the older, fragrant varieties. If you have the patience to wait a few years for blooms, they're an inexpensive source for peony tubers/roots. My Bowl of Beauty came from SAMs, and after 3 years in the ground, they put on a spectacular show every spring. These came 4/box, and Sarah Bernhardt came 3/box and are also finally blooming well. Annette
