Tree Peonies

The Tree Peonies have started to bloom!  The flowers are huge and incredibly beautiful.  Tree Peonies originated in China, where at one time, only the Emperor was allowed to own one. One look at the blossoms and I can understand why!

Shimanishki Tree Peony

Tree Peonies aren't "trees."  They're a woody shrub.  Unlike garden peonies, these plants have hard, woody stems that don't dieback in the winter.

Tree Peonies are easy to grow, but take awhile to get established.  But, these plants have been known to live over 100 years!

Tree Peonies blossoms come in a wide range of colors, from white to dark purple. Here are a few of our favorites:

Yachiyotsubaki

Yaezakura on left and Godaishu on right

Kamatanishiki

Kinshi

Shimanishiki

Yachiyotsubaki - see how big the flower is!!

How to Grow

Tree Peonies do best in a sunny to partly shady site, in average, well-drained, evenly moist garden soil that has a neutral pH. Space plants 3-feet apart for a hedge. Tree Peonies rarely need pruning, except to maintain a desired shape and size or to remove damaged canes.

Oh, and one great feature.  The deer and rabbits don't eat Tree Peonies!  Hooray!

Learn more about Tree Peonies on our Web site at http://www.springvalleyroses.com/catalog/treepeonies.html

Daffodils in Bloom

Daffodils are the stars of the garden this time of the year!  We've planted so many different varieties over the years, that we've forgotten the names of most.  But, every year, there are more and they seem more glorious each spring.

The fragrance is intoxicating on many of the varieties, especially the late-blooming "Jonquil" type Daffodils that have multiple blossoms per stem.

What's the difference between a Daffodil, a Naricissus and a Jonquil?  Narcissus is the Latin or botanical name for Daffodils.  According to the American Daffodil Society, a Jonquil is a type of Daffodil that has multiple flower and rounded foliage.

There is so much diversity in Daffodil varieties, from color to form to bloom time.  We've managed to add varieties to our gardens that give us a bloom time of over 6 weeks!  The blossoms can handle temperatures in the 20s at night and still keep blooming.  And the deer, rabbits and mice leave Daffodils alone.  They seem like the perfect plant!

Here are more photos of Daffodils in the garden.  Enjoy!