Mary - we are in two opposite growing zones. I've only been to Alaska once, in 2004, and I would love to go again. It is such a beautiful place.
Peonies is the one plant that I have no will power when it comes to ordering. The last large order I got from Gilbert Wilds which I know a lot of people do not buy from. However, I got 17 from them in 2012. 5 bloomed in 2013, and they are among the early bloomers for this year and buds are on a total of 15 out of those 17 plants. So, only 2 is still quite small. For an investment of about $10 each average, I can't complain. On a few of those plants, there are 6 or more flowering stems in year 3.
I do save my money for the ITOHs that I want, and there is no really deep discount on those.
