As promised: Peaonia rockii in flower

[dandelion]

I grow species tree peonies from flower. After 5 years, the P. rockii plants are finally flowering. Here's the 1st one:



I'm very slightly disappointed; was hoping for a bit more purple in the centre of the flower. But I have 2 more plants with flowerbuds and these have more red in the stems and leaves, so will hopefully have more of a pink/purple flush in the flowers too.

[dandelion]

[froglets]

lovely flower, if you can get darker centre, that will be a SERIOUSLY impressive peony

[Robert_Brenchley]

Is that five years from sowing or from germination? Mine were sown last autumn, so there's no sign of germination yet.

[dandelion]

Hi Robert,

I checked my records. The seed was acually sown in Jan 2003, so it has only been 4 years since sowing (or 3 years since germination). All 4 of my plants produced their first flower(s) this year, though one had a misshapen bud which I cut off. If your seed came from the same source (Chiltern Seeds?) I expect you'll get flowers in 2011.

An

[Robert_Brenchley]

Sounds hopeful. Mine came from POD. They say theirs have the darker centres so maybe we could do a swop at some point if none of yours do.

[flossie]

Beautiful. You peanonia growers are so patient.