The Name of My Favorite Plant
Peony. I have lost the species name.
How I First Found Out About This Plant
Peonies have been in my life forever. They were stunning in Vermont and Kentucky, but peonies don't do well in Georgia. We selected peonies that bloom early, thinking that they would bloom before the heat of summer. We also planted them where they had shade from afternoon heat.
How I Have Cared for This Plant
I bought the peony 10 years ago and planted it in a bed in the front of my house. It did okay; I neglected to care for it for years. Had some blooms last year but not great. Was reading about them and realized it was planted too deep AND mulched. Fixed the problem and look what I got this year!
Pests, Diseases or Other Problems for This Plant
No pests or disease problems for my peony, but see below under Peony Care Lessons for what I learned about peony care.Why I Love This Plant So Much
What's not to love. I have the picture that is published here on my desktop and as my profile picture on Facebook. It satisfies my soul just to look at it. This peony's bloom is 8 INCHES ACROSS. My hand is holding it to give perspective.
Location: My Region, Location of the Plant in My Yard
I live in north Georgia, zone 7. The peony is planted in a perennial bed in the front of my house with daylilies, irises and Autumn Joy sedum, among others. The soil is amended red clay. It has morning sun, afternoon shade.
Tips and Tricks
- Peony Care Lessons:
- Don't plant too deep.
- Don't mulch.
- Put a cage around it early before it gets too big. As the buds emerge, coax them into the cage as they are growing.
