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A Window On My World

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Posts will be published on occasion and irregularly as I am able.
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Sunday, June 21, 2009

More Peonies

Ah, HA! See what I see?

Oh, no you don't, sneaky little one.
You are not allowed in there.

I promised more peony photographs. This series shows how happy they were with the new paths that defended them against so much lush growth of other plants. I miss the irises, though. They were in too much shock to bloom this spring, and need more time to get established... maybe next year.

I think you have already seen some of these, but maybe that is OK. The tall blues in the background are Dames's Rocket, inside the bed with the peonies are English Bluebells (some white and some pink), and a few Spanish Bluebells.

My photographs from this spring were taken early in the season; I had to dip into the store of photos from years past to show what they looked like when the buds opened. That explains why there are as many irises in the pictures as there are. They did not bloom this year.




Have you ever seen so many buds! I don't de-bud them to make larger flowers. Have never had time, and I like smaller blooms.

All that anguishing last autumn over decisions, regarding the course for the paths, paid off. I think we guessed correctly about where the dormant peonies were located and squeezed the path through just right. Wonders do happen once in a while.



As you can see, it was early and most were still in bud stage. It was interesting to see which bloomed earliest, and which later. Here is an early semi-double white.

And, yes, I do leave Common Fleabane in the beds as accent and filler, then rip it out after it blooms. There is plenty for next year that comes up from the remaining roots.



Then out across to the other end can be seen another, taller, white.

That one seems different from the others. It is taller and larger. I have always wondered if it were a tree peony. Here it can be seen floating in a sea of Nigella
foliage (love-in-a-mist) just before it blooms (blue).

Seen from another angle.


I like the way the centers of the peony blossoms seem to echo the blooms on the pine branches.


I always have trouble editing out any of the pretty photos. Sorry if I bore you with so many that are very similar.

The peony that most people notice and comment about, and the first to bloom, is Coral Charm. The next few shots pretty much give you views of the yard counter-clockwise from nine o'clock position swinging around to one o'clock.







This is my last post about peonies. I am sure you have had your fill of them by now.



Chemicals free, I love to bury my face in theirs, steal a kiss rightfully belonging to a bee, then breathe deeply of that strong soap-like fragrance... and, lock it in my memory to last until May of next year.









Don't forget that you can click on the photos and enlarge them. That seems to help these group pictures.






19 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a treat your peonies are Barbie. I'm excited I can have them since I moved to Tennessee.
Donna

RURAL said...

Oh my, what a lovely collection of peonies you have. I don't think I have ever seen so many in one place before. And I am loving it!

Today I am going out to say goodbye to spring, and shoot the last of the peonies in the cooler spots. They have been beautiful this year.

Jen

Anonymous said...

Beautiful peonies!!! I love peoples, they are so classic! I've never seen so many in one place!! LOL! I just realized Jen said the same thing! It's lookin' like a botanical gardens!!

farmlady said...

In my book there is no such thing as too many garden photos..., or too many peonies..., or too many roses.
"The Earth laughs in Flowers." Doesn't it?
You have the heart of a gardener. This is a gift that will always bring you joy.

Barbee' said...

Donna, good news! One of my grandmothers had them in Tennessee. Thank you for visiting.

Hi there, Jen. Oh, that is right, spring has moved on. I should change my header.

wormandflowers, Thank you, thank you!

farmlady, thank you for your comments. I used that quote on the home page of my web site. CLICK HERE if you would like to take a look.

Thank You to all of you for visiting!

Anonymous said...

Your peonies are gorgeous! I just love peonies, you have inspired me to dig that new big bed I have been pondering or more peonies!

What are your favorite cultivars? I think I have Saran Bernhardt and Festivus Maximus, but can't be sure as they came with the house.

Barbee' said...

henbogle, thank you! All of mine came with the house and I know she took some with her when the seller moved to her new home. A woman told me she wanted a start of a certain one. When she described it, I didn't recognize it at all. She turned to our friend we bought the place from and asked her about it. Mary said, "Oh, I took that one with me." Seems it was one with small blossoms that they all loved to use in flower arrangements.
As far as favorites: You've got to be kidding. There is no way I could select any favorites. As the saying goes: It is the one I am looking at at the time. Coral Charm is the only one I know by name. Good luck with yours. There can never be too many. There are at least 200 varieties. I enjoyed looking at them on this website. http://www.peonygarden.net/about.html

Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog said...

Wow, those are stunning. I especially like your last few photos showing everything blooming together. Wish I could grow peonies! Interesting also to see your Dames Rockets since I bought one at the nursery but it has yet to bloom.

Balisha said...

Oh, Barbie...those pictures are beautiful.I have never seen so many. Thanks for sharing..

Barbee' said...

Thank you, Jean. Your Dame's Rocket might not bloom this year. I live in Kentucky and here mine bloom mostly in May. You probably already know that it is a short lived perennial. Hopefully it will bloom next spring then make seeds for you so you can have more. I don't know if it needs another one to pollinate it. There are many juvenile ones around here that didn't bloom this year, but I expect them to next spring. The problem with Dame's Rocket, in my opinion, is the weedy look it has when not in bloom. I think most of my dark purple has died out. I need to order some seeds and get those genes back in the family.

Barbee' said...

Hi Balisha, I am so glad you enjoyed them! I wish they lasted longer.

Courtney Barnett said...

They are gorgeous! I currently don't have any Peonies but I have always wanted them. Seeing yours has me seeing some possiblities in my yard.

Barbee' said...

Hi Courtney, and, thank you. I hope you do add peonies. They are good old standbys, but they do not like competition from trees. They always remind me of my paternal grandmother. She had a row of double white ones alongside the driveway.

Norma Murray said...

Wow! Those peonies are pretty special. Thankyou for your comment on my blog. The flowers in the seceond photo on my blog are Nectaroscordum siculum,(the ones with the bellshaped flowers). They like it moist and will tolerate a bit of shade. The purple flowers that look like bursting fireworks are Allium Christophii. They thrive in full sun.

Barbee' said...

lampworkbeader, I appreciate your taking the time to enlighten me about the beauties in your photograph. I never would have figured them out by myself. Thank you.

lynn'sgarden said...

Barbee, OMG, thousands of peony buds..and the anticipation every spring! I can't get enough so thank you for ALL these photos!! I'm in love with the coral one and NEED to find it for my garden :)
Lynn

Barbee' said...

Hi Lynn, thank you for your positive feedback. You know, in taking care of this place, even though I know that beauty is happening, I have to remind myself to "look". It could all come and go with me head (and eyes) down, weeding and weeding, and never see the show. I am so happy to share the "show" with you and others. It shouldn't be wasted.

Barbee' said...

Oh, and Lynn, Google "Coral Charm", I am sure you will be able to find it. But, it might be a bit pricey.

Anonymous said...

Wow Barbee, what a lot of peonies you have to enjoy! I have one spindly little plant, struggling to survive. My friend brought one to work to give to me, and left it in her car all day. It's alive, but just barely. Hopefully by next year I may see a bloom or two.