Mailing Address/Office:
Hidden Springs Flower Farm
813 Elm St.
Anoka, MN 55303-2823

Hybrid Peonies

Hybrid Peonies are the result of crossing two or more different species peonies. Although they exhibit all the flower forms found in our traditional lactiflora garden peonies they tend to have a greater representation in the single and semi-double forms. There are some strikingly beautiful doubles and very rarely are there found in the form called Japanese. The most striking example that I can think of is the variety Walter Mains. The often elegant flowers are found in colors from soft pastel lavender, fluorescent pink, coral, orange-red to vibrant cardinal red and yes even yellow which is found in it's brightest color among the intersectional peonies like Prairie Charm and the fragrant variety Yellow Crown.

Cytherea  (Saunders 1953) This is an exquisite double,pale pink hybrid from Dr. Saunders work. It bloms early mid-saeson. Semi-double; many rich, deep pink, strongly cupped petals are long, forming an almost closed ball, wider open at higher temperatures. Medium-low height, flowers set close to the bush. Splendid specimen in the landscape, a winner on the show table. A Saunders Lobata of Perry Hybrid. It has produced some seed so is fertile. APS Gold Medal in 1980 and always a fine peony for the descriminating collector. Plant in full sun in a well drained soil. $26.99 [Add to Cart]

Dearest  (Pehrson/Hollingsworth 1992) Single hybrid, fertile tetraploid, greenish cream white petals edged and veined cool, sharp pink, stigmas and filaments pink, a new unique pattern for peonies, very early and very strong 34" stems. Useful for further hybridizing, fertile both ways, tetraploid. Dawn Glow is one of it's parents. The glossy reflective surface of the petals is typical of this flower. Plant in full sun in a well drained soil. $22.99 [Add to Cart]

Diana Parks  (Bockstoce 1942) It was love at first sight when I saw this huge, fragrant, bomb shaped brilliant, glittering carmine red blooms with a hint of orange on this hybrid peony with 42" stems. Splendid texture and color. Very fragrant, late. I can’t imagine being without this wonderful double flowered hybrid. Make sure it is planted in an area with good drainage as with all peonies they do not like wet soggy soil. $26.99 [Add to Cart]

Early Bird  (Saunders 1939) Dwarf plant, abundant, single bright crimson flowers above fern leaf foliage. A rare hybrid between the fern leaf peony P. tenuifolia and P. veitchii woodwardii, very early, usually blooming before the fern-leaf peony and right at the same time as the flowering crabapples. 20". Plant in full sun and well drained soil. Do not allow to be crowded by other plants. $24.99 [Add to Cart]

Early Scout  (Auten 1952) Very early blooming single to semi-double hybrid has very dark crimson-red flowers above finely cut ferny foliage from its fern-leaf peony parent. 21" The plant will spread to form an impressive plant. APS Gold Medal Winner! Plant in full sun in well drained soil. $24.99 [Add to Cart]

Edward Steichen  (Saunders 1941) Semi-double vivid dark red hybrid, large handsomely twisted flower, lasts well, spreading habit, finest of this strain. Early 30" Has produced an occasional seed which is rare for some of these Saunders hybrids. Plant in full sun in well drained soil. $24.99 [Add to Cart]

Firelight SOLD OUT  (Saunders 1950) Single pale pink with dark raspberry red flares at petal base. This unique "quad hybrid" involves four species peonies; lactiflora x ((officinalis x (mlokosewitschi x macrophylla)) It is a vigorous growing triploid. Early, 26". What a distinct flower for your early peony bloom season. Plant in full sun in well drained soil. $0.00 [Add to Cart]

Flame  (Glasscock 1939) Flame a hybrid peony has medium to large single crimson-red flowers with a orange flame-like coloration in petals. Compact and free flowering hybrid, 26 - 32", early. Good cut flower. On sandy soils the color may be more coral pink. Strong stems never need staking. This variety will grow very quickly to make a large many flowered clump. Plant in full sun in a well drained soil. $22.99 [Add to Cart]

Friendship  (Glasscock-Falk 1955) Friendship is a special hybrid single of pink with white edges, blooms early with flowers held just above the compact 24" plants of impeccably good plant habit. Single pastel pink, early midseason, 32" tall. Fertile second generation hybrid. Plant in full sun in a well drained soil. $22.99 [Add to Cart]

Friz-Bee  (Tischler 1999) Not many of this variety have been released to the pubic. This dark red hybrid introduction of Bob Tischlers' was named for the Friesen's dog which would keep Bob company while tending the peony fields. It has 5-6" blooms with a bright yellow center. The 22 -24" stems are strong and require no support to hold up the flowers. It blooms early above glossy green disease free foliage. No side buds. Plant in full sun in a well drained soil. $26.99 [Add to Cart]

Hybrid Peonies are some of the earliest peonies to bloom after the tree peonies and species peonies. There are a variety of leaf forms from narrow cutleaf forms to large almost tropical looking huge leaflets that make selection of these hybrid peonies even more interesting. Hybrid peonies are often noted for their very strong stems which need no staking except for the largest double flowered forms. Because of this they make excellent cut flowers. Those peonies with strong stems that do not require support in the garden are pointed out in the descriptions. You will find in our peony list many very difficult to find hybrid varieties at very reasonable prices.

Hybrid Peonies have some unusual parents involved in their genetic background and as a result they often have a very different root and crown structure. The most notable is when all the growing buds are clustered at the top a long and narrow crown which makes division very difficult. This also accounts for a smaller number of divisions from a single plant. Most all possess very strong stems and produce colorful peony bloom weeks ahead of the common garden peony varieties. The hybrids are often in great demand and sell out very quickly so don’t be disappointed if you delay in your ordering. Flower colors for the hybrid peonies vary from the brightest white to the darkest near black with vibrant reds, pastel pink, lavender, yellow, creamy pink and others with two tone coloration. Extend the peony bloom season with a selection of these hardy garden plants. The emerging foliage can be a stunning chocolate brown and seed pods with bright coral and steel blue seeds add interest later in the growing season adding to their garden value. Most bloom two weeks ahead of garden peonies providing color for a longer period of time in the garden. Because of their close relation to species peonies they all demand excellent drainage and none tolerate soggy soils so pick a spot just to their liking for success.