Mine bloomed for the 1st time last spring, too! I got six teeny-tiny potted plants mail order, thought I'd lost all except one. Went through a major labeling jag last spring and found the other two. I was completely unenthused about Itohs after thinking I lost five and how tiny they were upon arrival compared to the herbaceous peonies I was used to. Regained interest when they bloomed, ordered more and realized my issue was the grower, not the plant, because all of my newer roots were great. Here's the ones that bloomed this spring:
Singing in the Rain--fell in love with the bloom when I first saw it on-line and HAD TO HAVE IT!!
Strawberry Blonde--bloomed a bit later than Singing in the Rain so the colors were very similar, it's more yellow from the start. Decided I actually like it better than Singin!
Berry Garcia--Started out good but never really opened, the plant was much smaller than the others and only had two buds, maybe next year it'll live up to it's initial promise.
I also ordered First Arrival, Frank, but it's for spring delivery through Vermont Wildflower Farms. I'm done for the fall with all except one last order that will make it in next weekend. Good thing, too--I'm out of room in my current beds!
