Springtime in Prescott is pure magic, and there’s no better time to plant peonies! Planting early gives them a head start in our cool spring soil, leading to more vigorous plants and prominent blooms. Plus, you’ll find the best peony varieties at the garden center right now, with a rainbow of colors and unique varieties.
Peonies are ideally suited to our mountain climate. They bask in the Prescott sunshine, tolerate wind, and flourish in our well-drained soil. As an added bonus, deer, javelina, and rabbits tend to leave them alone. I recommend planting established peony plants rather than scrawny roots from the net for quicker blooms and less wait time. It’s like instant gratification for your garden!
These long-lived perennials are genuinely a gift that keeps on giving. Peonies grace your garden for generations with their hardy roots and low-maintenance nature. Some varieties can live for 100+ years! Plant a peony today and create a living legacy of beauty for your family to enjoy for years to come. They sell out yearly, so shop early or preorder your peony to ensure the colors match your gardens.
Peonies are a must-have with their lush blooms and captivating fragrance. Here are 10 of my favorite award winning peonies and why your going to love your gardens again.
Bartzella: This Itoh Peony boasts double sunny yellow blooms. A showstopper that brings joy to the garden. Grows 36″ x 36″ inches.
Danse du Feu is a captivating Itoh peony with peachy and cream blooms, accented by a dark rose center, bringing drama and romance to any garden. Its vigorous growth, long bloom time, and sturdy stems make it a standout performer, even in windy conditions, and it’s naturally resistant to deer and javelina. Grows 36″ x 36″ inches.
Duchesse de Lorraine is true elegance! It’s like fragrant sunshine settled in your garden with fully double, pure yellow blossoms with each flower owning 150 petals. The flower form is classic, and the fragrance is divine, making it a perfect choice for a romantic garden or a special spot you want to fill with beauty and perfume. Grows 24″ x 24″ inches.
Haleigh’s Hallelujah – this Itoh hybrid flaunts huge, semi-double flowers in a vibrant coral pink with a heart of golden stamens that is simply breathtaking. It’s a long bloomer, and the sturdy stems don’t need staking, making it a standout in any garden. Grows 32″ x 30″ inches.
Kansas: Deep red double blooms with a captivating fragrance. Adds drama and elegance to the garden. Grows 30″ x 30″ inches.
Insider Tip – How to Grow Peony
Mock Orange Yellow – this Itoh Peony is a must-have for the garden this spring! It boasts incredible lemon-yellow blooms that resemble a fragrant mock orange blossom and are produced in abundance for weeks. Grows 32″ x 30″ inches.
Sarah Bernhardt: A classic for a reason! Huge, fragrant, double pink blooms. Perfect for a romantic cottage garden. Grows 24″ x 24″ inches.
Simply Red is an Itoh peony that commands attention with its HUGE, vibrant red blooms, adding a fiery splash of color to any garden. This rugged and beautiful variety thrives in full sun, resists deer and javelina, and produces stunning flowers that can reach up to 9 inches across. Grows 36″ x 36″ inches.
Sequestered Sunshine for its vibrant, golden-yellow blooms that light up the garden like Sunshine. This Itoh peony boasts a long bloom time and sturdy stems, making it a standout performer in the landscape and a favorite for cut flower arrangements. Grows 30″ x 30″ inches.
Symphonie Pourpre is an Itoh peony that captivates with its abundant fuchsia-purple blooms, delicately edged in creamy pink, creating a symphony of color in your garden. This vigorous grower thrives in Prescott’s sunny climate, adding artistry to any landscape. Grows 32″ x 30″ inches.
Peony Companions Plants grow together and look good in the garden are Hellebore, Calgary Carpet Juniper, Lily of the Valley and Single Leaf Pinyon Pine. Each available to plant now.
Peonies are stunningly grown in containers! Whether in the ground, raised garden bed, or in pots, there’s a peony perfect for your garden. Visit Watters Garden Center to find your favorites and get expert advice on planting and care. Happy gardening!
Until the next issue, I’ll be helping gardeners grow better peonies here at Watters Garden Center.
Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Plants.com.
