| In this group we have representatives from the wild and some very ancient varieties who's history is lost to us unfortunately.
Despite my personal enthusiasm the demand for species peonies is dreadfully under whelming when viewed from a commercial point of view which accounts for so few growers bothering to grow or offer them for sale. There is little incentive to give precious commercial growing space to a non-profitable plant. Still I can't help but think that for the adventurous hybridizer there are treasures in the species that are yet untapped. Give a collection of species to an enthusiastic young gardener if you want to make a far reaching impression on the future of the peony.
Paeonia anomala - Most of the time you will encounter Smouthii a hybrid peony listed as P. anomala. But the real thing is among the very early flowering species with finely divided leaves and normally has no side buds. The form most typically seen has scarlet red chalice shaped blooms and a gold center although the flower color can also be a lavender pink. Some recent studies by Chinese botanists list this and P. veitchii as closely related enough so as to be grouped under one species. The plants in the garden share many similar characteristics. My plant is taller on average than the varieties of P. veitchii that I grow. P. anomala will create a bold accent in the spring garden especially if there are late blooming white tulips or daffodils planted nearby. At 24" tall it is appropriate for the smaller garden and in the fall rewards us with a pleasant golden yellow foliage.
P. mlokosewitschii - A very distinct yellow peony species from the Caucasus mountains which some recent books claim is easy to grow. Although not in the range of impossible to grow I wish I lived where this is an easy peony to grow! The plants are very early to bloom and are often subject to freezing temperatures while in bloom and if it is also raining at the same time and freezing at night it spoils the bloom and you must wait until next year to see this lovely flower again. Fortunately the emerging foliage provides a striking display of their own as the sprouts emerge a bronzy color from the ground. If you grow this species from seed you can have plants that are actually hybrids since it will cross with other early blooming species such as P. caucasica and produce blooms that are pink to pale yellow with faint pink edges. Almost all of them retain the beautiful spring foliage of the species though.
Paeonia officinalis anemoneflora - The anemone form of the species has rosy red chalice shaped outer petals with an orange-yellow center. Only 14" tall it is suitable for a larger rock garden. Very early blooming it attracts a lot of attention in the garden for such a diminutive plant. As the plant grows it creates a spreading mound. This one makes the list as being very cute.
Paeonia officinalis rubra This plant was offered for many years by the Brand Peony Farm. This single form of officinalis may be the same form listed by Anderson in 1818 as 'Sabini'. Most often forms of P. officinalis that you find in the United States are a rosy pink color not a deep scarlet red.
The following two ancient varieties of peonies have been known since the 16th century from paintings dated to that period and were more popular in the eastern parts of the United States than the Midwest. Although they have a wide spreading habit the early bloom and double forms of these flowers are almost irresistible for the May Garden.
Paeonia officinalis rubra plena - The Red Memorial Day Peony has intense brilliant crimson red color and has been cultivated for centuries in Europe. It is a true antique of great garden value yet today. Some years it is more susceptible to fungal blight and the old foliage should be removed in the fall and proper levels of potassium should be maintained in the soil.
Paeonia officinalis rosea plena -The pink form of the original double flowered Memorial Day peony has exceptional color and form on compact but a spreading plant.
P. peregrina I love this single brilliant red cupped flower with fine bright green glossy foliage. If I could have only one peony this would be the one I would choose. Thank goodness I’m not limited to one! It blooms just after P. emodi and at the same time as P. officinalis.
Paeonia tenuifolia This single form fern-leaf is far more uncommon to find than the double form which is revered as a cult plant among gardeners who utter it’s name in a level tone to make sure they don’t jinx their plant into a decline. This form is of course fertile and can be used in hybridizing and makes a wonderful plant for the sunny rock garden.
Paeonia tenuifolia rubra plena The double fern-leaf peony with it’s scarlet lipstick red flowers is the first of the double peonies to bloom. It must be grown in well drained soil in full all day sun. It can go dormant in early summer and should not be over watered at that time. Although the flowers are not particularly long lived the unusual foliage makes it a popular collectable.
Paeonia veitchii makes a wonderful addition to the woodland edge garden. The side facing blooms in many shades of pink and bright lavender to white appear in an extended period as there are often two side blooms that bloom in succession after the first flower. The late emerging bronze divided foliage is another attractive feature of this peony. It blooms early in the peony season and is quite compact growing at 15 - 24" in it's various forms. Seedlings are easier to transplant and seeds take 5 years to reach flowering size.
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