Despite the stay at home order bringing people down, nature keeps chugging along, putting on a show. Spring is … one of my favorite seasons (I mean, there are bonuses for all the seasons, but Fall and Spring are my all time favorite). The tulips are blooming, the daffodils are chasing the sun, and all the little birds are actively chirping and bobbing around, enjoying the spring air. Well, I am enjoying the spring air when I am not having spring allergies!! The rain is a welcome thing when it comes to beating down on all that pollen from the trees. The big leaf maples are dumping pollen like nobodies business.
My great joy in gardening is watching the small changes that take place everyday along my garden path. Currently, the bleeding hearts are unfurling at a rapid pace. I pay closest attention to the plants that are right outside my favorite spot in my house. I lugged several large pots and planted trees in them to create an instant garden with height, texture, and varied colors. The Deshojo maple leaves practically match the bleeding heart flower color, it is wild. And, no, I didn’t plant them there together on purpose. Half the plants in my garden are grown to divide for sales. My path is littered with heuchera, astilbe, geum, hellebore. The standout plants (ones I planted purposefully) are roses and peonies. I guess I really do like large, fluffy blossoms, I’m definitely a flower girl.
Speaking of flowers, everyone should have at least one peony in their life. And if you can only have one, make it an ITOH peony please! You won’t be disappointed. Itoh peonies are called inter-sectional because they are cross between herbaceous (classic peony) and tree peonies. Let’s be honest, there are pros and cons to both herbaceous and tree peonies. While peonies can be pretty fool proof, the herbaceous have a tendency to flop and splay out due to heavy blossoms. I’ve also had some wet weather and botrytis reared its ugly head. Now tree peonies are simply delectable, but the price can be a little out there and their habit can look a bit scraggly. The itoh peonies are tight, shrub like, wonderfully round and the flowers are huge and fragrant. They smell so fresh and clean. Yes, there will be some sticker shock (I remember my first purchase from Monrovia cost a whopping $90) but it is well worth it to invest in a happy and healthy plant. I have noticed the cost go down over time and the availability in varieties go up. Currently I have 3 itoh peonies in my garden along with 4 herbaceous and 1 tree. Not to compete with my roses though, of which I have 21. It’s just like pokemon, I grow one, love it, then I gotta catch them all.
Here is a picture of my favorite Itoh peony for you to sate your appetite and hopefully this reminds you, when the stay in place order has been lifted, to be mindful and wise, but also go to a local nursery and get yourself an itoh peony!!!
