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

Saunder's Peonies

Perhaps no other Peony breeder has inspired so many others to grow and hybridize peonies than Professor A.P. Saunders. His hybrid creations are avidly sought after for their unique qualities.

Alexander Woollcott   (Saunders 1941) This early blooming hybrid has a semi-double waxy crimson red flower that have been described as cardinal red. The flowers are held on 24 - 30" stems with dark glossy green foliage and hold the cup shaped flowers upright. The vivid color does not fade until petal fall. A cross between Marie Jacquin and P. lobata (peregrina) it is one of the famous hybrids of Dr. Saunders. The garden display created when in bloom is incredible. If I was limited to only 10 peonies this one would be included in that special group. $49.95 [Add to Cart]

Athena SOLD OUT  (Saunders 1949) Athena is a stunning patterned, early blooming single, apricot buff with rosy pink flares inside each petal. The strong 30" stems grow quickly in the spring and the flower has a pleasant,light fragrance. This is one of Professor Saunders' Quad hybrids involving 4 different peony species in its background. The foliage stays healthy all season. Plant in full sun. Available next for 2010 season. $0.00 [Add to Cart]

Bravura  (Saunders 1943) Bravura is a Saunders hybrid peony with a large cupped single flower, with an extra row of petals; brilliant crimson red petals with a light yellow center, a large cupped flower. 25" tall. Very early blooming, medium green foliage. It is very quick to establish and makes a nice display in the garden with its true red colored blooms. We like it so much that we have two planted in our own home garden. Plant in full sun in well drained soil. $24.99 [Add to Cart]

Campagna  (Saunders 1941) Campagna is a brilliant single white hybrid with a goblet shaped bloom with green shadows and no pink tones. Remarkable clear opaque white color is a perfect background for the gold center. A triple hybrid. lacti x (off. x mac). This rare Saunders hybrid is very difficult to find and is such a choice plant for those looking for a very pure white in a white themed garden that blooms early in the peony flowering season. $28.99 [Add to Cart]

Cardinal's Robe  (Saunders 1940) Cardinal's Robe is a single hybrid peony with shining scarlet red flowers. A favorite of many peony aficionados and noted for its brilliant color. Not a very tall plant at 26” tall. Plant in full sun in a well drained soil. $22.99 [Add to Cart]

Coralie  (Saunders 1940) A rare Saunders hybrid with glowing coral pink color on a single crinkled bloom. This is a "lobata of Perry" hybrid that carries genes for the fantastic bright coral colors that were unknown in the Chinese peonies that form the backbone of most garden peonies. Earlier blooming it is an outstanding addition to the border. It has large pointed buds that make it easy to pick out in the field as the flower approaches bloom season. Plant in full sun in a well drained soil. $29.95 [Add to Cart]

Cytherea GM/ALM SOLD OUT  (Saunders 1953) This is an exquisite double,pink hybrid from Dr. Saunders work. It bloms early mid-season. 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 2009 APS Award of Landscape Merit Winner! A fine peony for the descriminating collector. Plant in full sun in a well drained soil. Sorry sold out as of April 10. Available next 2010 season. $0.00 [Add to Cart]

Dawn Glow  (Saunders/Hollingsworth 1986) Dawn Glow is an ivory petaled single hybrid with soft pink overtones. The flower is fragrant and bloom season is early. The plant is very fertile and the parent of many new peonies. 32" plants have large leaves and are somewhat spreading but strong. Plant in full sun. $24.99 [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. $24.95 [Add to Cart]

Edward Steichen  (Saunders 1941) Semi-double vivid dark red hybrid, large handsome flowers, lasts well, spreading habit, finest of this strain. Early 30" tall. Has produced an occasional seed which is rare for some of these Saunders hybrids. Plant in full sun in well drained soil. $24.95 [Add to Cart]