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.

Garden Treasure  (Hollingsworth 1984) Gorgeous yellow Itoh intersectional hybrid of garden and tree peony parentage. It is semi-double to a full double bright yellow color with red flares at the base of the 20 - 50 petals. APS Gold Medal Winner! Very hardy and vigorous. Plant in full sun. These are not small, unbloomed tissue culture plants but full size divisions from mature field grown plants that are true to type. $98.99 [Add to Cart]

Gay Cavalier  (Glasscock 1944) This single red scarlet hybrid blooms early and grows quickly to form a good size plant. The foliage is a nice glossy green. Chosen by many peony gardeners that visit the fields saying they are not interested in single peonies until they see this one. Plant in full sun in a well drained soil. Limited supplies this season. $28.99 [Add to Cart]

Golden Glow  (Glasscock 1935) This hybrid is a brilliant scarlet with orange undertones, and a mass of pure gold stamens. Blooms are held cup shaped and grows tall with extremely heavy and sturdy stems. The foliage is large and dark green. APS Gold Medal Winner! Plant in full sun in a well drained soil. $22.99 [Add to Cart]

Goldilocks  (Gilbertson 1975) Bomb, double light yellow hybrid, early-midseason, has produced a few seeds. Medium height strong stems with up to three flowers per stem. It has a spreading bush habit with large green leaves. With its parents of Oriental Gold and Claire de Lune it is most likely a diploid but since it has no pollen it is used as a seed parent when the stigmas are normally shaped. Plant in full sun. This is a very good cut flower and will be a brighter yellow if the flower is cut when just opening and brought indoors to enjoy. $69.99 [Add to Cart]

Helen Matthews SOLD OUT  (Saunders/Kreckler 1953) This semi-double bright red hybrid from Saunders has incredible garden presence. It is a vigorous grower although rarely will someone dig it up to share, it is such a stunning plant in flower. All the petals are neatly arranged in concentric layers. Plant in full sun in a well drained soil. We wish we had more , but supply is very short this season so order early to avoid disappointment. $0.00 [Add to Cart]

Henry Bockstoce  (Bockstoce 1955) Early, enormous double red, tall, hybrid, lovely dark burgundy red with a rose center. Strong 32" stems. Very fragrant. You will never regret getting this peony for your garden and those who have waited in the past to order later in the season are disappointed when it is sold out. Plant in full sun in well drained soil. $26.99 [Add to Cart]

Hillary  (Anderson 1999) ONLY 5 LEFT FOR THE SEASON!Hillary is an intersectional peony with semi-double to double flowers that are a rose pink blend. This hybrid of a garden peony and tree peony has a very long season of bloom. 24-26" stems have tropical looking foliage. Rose-red and yellow blend, with yellow fading to cream on outer facing petals. Inner petals remain red and give the bloom that inner glow effect. Plant in full sun. The foliage remains in great condition all season long. These are not small, unbloomed tissue culture plants but full size divisions from mature field grown plants that are true to type. $119.99 [Add to Cart]

Illini Belle  (Glasscock 1941) This peony hybrid is absolutely beautiful. Semi double with 4 to 5 rows of brilliant dark red petals, a hybrid it blooms early on very strong stems. If you are tired of staking and tying up your peonies this one will set you free from that task. Plant in full sun in a well drained soil. $26.99 [Add to Cart]

Illini Chief  (Glasscock, 1940) ONLY 2 LEFT FOR THE SEASONSingle hybrid with a distinct Orange-Red colored flower making it brilliant in the spring garden. Early blooming hybrid. A lactiflora x officinalis hybrid. The flowers are a bright red with a hint of orange when first open. Plant in full sun in a well drained soil. $28.99 [Add to Cart]

Illini Warrior  (Auten 1955) This hybrid by Auten is every bit as beautiful and vigorous as the previous two. A single deep red hybrid, early, 32" tall deep red colored blooms on strong supporting stems with dark green foliage, vigorous growing. It will rarely produce a seed when pollinated with another hybrid tetraploid. 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.