| Ensign Moriarity - (Lins pre 1950) This variety must not have had a very large distribution as I have peony enthusiasts asking for it each season. The very large full double medium dark pink blooms are quite heavy but fortunately the stems are reasonably strong and can hold the blooms upright if there is not a terrible wind and rain at peak bloom. The flower has an attractive blending of lighter pink on the petal edges. Not very tall at only 24" it blooms late midseason. A great garden flower it was once a popular exhibition flower.
Francis Willard - (Brand 1907) Many double pinks fade to white like this variety does as the flower matures. Strong stems hold the large fragrant blooms above the dark green foliage. It appears in bloom during midseason.
Judge Berry - (Brand 1907) An delicate light rose pink can have some bright gold stamens showing in the center for contrast. This is one variety that will benefit some support since the blooms are immense in size. Many times this is one of the first of the really large double peonies to bloom starting for many gardeners what they call the "real" peony bloom season.
Lady Alexandra Duff - (Kelway 1902) From England comes this superb semi-double to double blush lavender-pink flower with a large center flower surrounded by smaller semi-double side blooms. This arrangement allows a single cut stem to create a whole bouquet. Another bonus are the strong 36 stems and mass of blooms that have a graceful garden effect. You will want to plant this close to the house as the strong fragrance and midseason bloom make it all the more collectable.
Lois Kelsey - (Kelsey 1934) The very large double white flowers have fringed petal edges much like the very popular cactus flower form peonies that Songsparrow Nursery has been introducing lately. But whereas some of the new introductions are smaller in size these blooms make a big impression in the garden. It took me a long time to locate a source of this exotic looking peony. Midseason.
Madame Calot - (Milleaux 1856) Very fragrant large globular flowers and excellent foliage place this at the top of the list for my wife and I as a favorite. Tall, with strong stems, extremely floriferous the double blooms are a very light old rose pink with cream tints in the collar petals and a darker center with red flecks. It blooms early-midseason. Don't let the date of introduction on this variety make you think it is not worth adding to a collection of peonies.
Marie Jacquin - (Verdier Pre 1916 ) The pale pink petals fade to white on this charming semi-double to double peony. The flower form is a cupped shape reminiscent of a giant water-lily with large guard petals surrounding the water-lily like center petals. The easily opening side blooms make this multiflora very showy in the garden. Described in many catalogs as exceptionally, and highly fragrant this quality adds to the desirability of this midseason bloomer. This variety has been around a long time and is known in some books as Waterlily or Bridesmaid. It is very suitable for use in floral arrangements.
Matilda Lewis - (Saunders 1921) Although A. P. Saunders is memorialized for the extensive work he did with hybrid peonies we will see that there are a few collectable peonies to be found among his early work with lactiflora peonies. This variety has large, deep, dark maroon red flowers. Even the emerging stems which are quite strong bears a bright burgundy color followed by dark green foliage. This may be one of those very dark reds that some people remember as "the black" peonies growing in Grandma's garden.
Madame Emile Lemoine - (Lemoine 1899) This double white has a tall center with red flecks and is only slightly fragrant. I like it because it has a trimmer growth habit and fits well where garden space is limited.
Maxcine Wolfe - (Tischler 1969)This exotic contrasting bloom like White Cap excites those seeing it for the very first time. Maxcine Wolfe is a rose pink Japanese with a very nice contrasting center, tall strong stems, heavy foliage, midseason. The seed pods turn a brilliant purple-red adding more interest to the plant throughout the season.
Mons Martin Cahuzac - (Dessert 1899) Large maroon black double red flowers are some of the darkest in the peony world. The plant is robust and tall and the foliage has a dark burgundy color as it emerges in the spring. It blooms early midseason it can be a stunning garden accent although it may not be as profuse a bloomer as other varieties.
Moonstone - (Murawska 1942) If I were to pick the strongest stemmed double lactiflora peony in the garden I think Moonstone would win hands down. Normally it has only a single bud per stem so the flowers are of a very good size. The flower itself is a translucent blush pink double who's center fades to white. Good plant size with 36" stems it blooms mid-season.
Old Lace - (Lins 1945) A beautiful ivory white 8"+ full double it has a flat bloom composed of carefully arranged narrow petals from the center. The benefit of this type of flower form is that water can flow through the flower before the flower topples over from the weight of water. The stems are tall and somewhat thin but strong. It blooms early-midseason ahead of many other double whites. Mr. Lins who developed and introduced this variety had a good eye for quality peonies.
Pinnacle -(Bigger 1970) This huge near white double flower makes visitors to the nursery stop in their tracks. It has a light pink cast to the center of the flower. The plant is average in height at 36" tall. It is very slow to grow extra stems and so is very slow to build up stock although the flowers on the plant are truly very impressive.
Patricia Hanratty - (Gardener 1951) If this large saucer shaped rose red Japanese with rose staminodes tipped lemon yellow produced more divisions it would most certainly surpass some of the other Japanese or anemone forms like Gay Paree. The stems are tall and strong and the plant blooms midseason. Even the side buds develop into large sized blooms providing a longer season of bloom.
Philomele (Calot 1861) What a strange tir-color peony this old antique variety from France is as it's form changes most dramatically from what appears to be a Japanese type with a little tufted center. It has also been called Vadius in older catalogs. The pink flower opens with a very different color in the center, almost amber like and as the center grows is becomes almost anemone-like in form and the center becomes more pink as the flower ages and grows larger. It has a very pleasant fragrance and blooms early mid-season. I think for those looking for historic authenticity and love fragrant flowers that are different than all their neighbors this one is worth growing.
Prince of Darkness - (Brand 1907) This variety is still available despite it being listed as discarded by the originator and in APS publications which only points out that these are very durable plants indeed. Perhaps the introducer felt it was superceded by later introductions but it still lives on in many gardens today including my own. A double dark red maroon it is in flower early in the peony season.
Silvia Saunders - (Saunders 1921) Another rare Saunders' lactiflora introduction that is hard to find. This really charming semi double pink lactiflora needs to be seen in bloom to appreciate the delicate garden effect of multiple blooms on a single stem. As semi-doubles are normally passed over in catalog listings I think this one is a sleeper and deserves more use in those gardens that are looking for something simple and yet sophisticated in its' subtle beauty. I couldn't resist adding it to my collection.
Walter Faxon - (Richardson 1904) Once you have seen the unusual dark shrimp or salmon pink of this variety you'll be on a search for it until you find a way to get it into your garden. It excels as a cut flower where it will keep it's fine color indoors. Outside it will fade in the strong sunlight although even outdoors it is an attractive pink. Noted for it's sweet mild fragrance, the medium large blooms are produced in abundance midseason.
White Cap - (Winchell 1956) Every time I give a presentation on peonies I include a stunning slide of this Japanese form peony with its' very dark pink guard petals surrounding a crisp white center. The tall 32" stems are fairly stiff. I think it is this striking combination of white and cerise pink floral parts that makes demand always exceed supplies. Having won the APS Gold Medal also calls attention to the plant for those gardeners who look for such designations as an indication of quality.
As newer varieties of peonies gain the attention of gardeners they may be missing some of the most collectable, and in some cases exotic looking, historical varieties that are mentioned in this article. Dont miss an opportunity to add some of these collectable varieties that are enduring high quality treasures to your garden.
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