Intersectional peonies offer the best qualities of both garden and tree peonies combined, including:
- very large, tree-peony like flowers in colours not previous seen in herbaceous types
- healthy, herbaceous foliage similar to tree peonies, but with a robust bushy habit that does not require staking
- strong, herbaceous stems that hold the flowers upright even after a heavy...
What is an intersectional garden peony?
To start off, Intersectional Garden Peonies refer to hybrids between Tree Peonies and Herbaceous Peonies. Some of the distinctive features so these peonies include flower colors such as orange and yellow, stronger stems and have attractive foliage through fall.
What are intersectional Paeonia hybrids?
Intersectional Paeonia hybrids, common name Itoh’s are getting more and more popular. These peonies are produced by crossing herbaceous garden peonies with tree peonies, initially to create herbaceous peonies with pure yellow flowers.
How long do intersectional peonies stay in flower?
Overall an Intersectional peony can be in flower for up to 4 weeks, some 2 weeks longer than other types of peonies. I have also found a few varieties, such as P. ‘Bartzella’ producing the odd flower in autumn. In shape and growth Intersectional peonies look more like an herbaceous peony than a tree peony.
What is an American hybrid peony?
We are pleased to offer a selection of these unique American hybrid peonies. Intersectional peonies possess many attributes which make them highly desirable landscape plants. The leaves and flower forms resemble those of tree peonies, while the growth habit is similar to that of herbaceous peonies.

What is special about Itoh peonies?
In the garden, Itoh peony hybrids are deer-resistant and boast strong disease resistance to powdery mildew, which plagues herbaceous peonies, and botrytis blight, which commonly attacks tree peonies. Like its peony parents, the Itoh peony group offers blossoms that make wonderful cut flowers.
What are the 3 types of peony?
There are three distinct groups of peonies: the herbaceous Eurasian peonies, the Asian tree, or moutan, peonies, and the North American peonies. The herbaceous peonies are perennials that grow to a height of almost 1 metre (about 3 feet).
What is the difference between an Itoh peony and a tree peony?
The characteristics Itoh peonies get from their other parent the tree peony include their sturdy stems which prevent them from being droopy after heavy rain. Itoh hybrid peonies also bloom later in the season and typically are starting to bloom when the herbaceous peonies are finishing their blooms for the season.
How do you care for an intersectional peony?
Try to plant peonies in full sun and a fertile soil, which has been improved by digging in garden compost or well-rotted manure. They will grow well in a range of soils, including clay, as long as it does not get waterlogged in winter and dry out in summer. They are fully hardy so don't need any winter protection.
What is the most beautiful peony?
Kansas has been referred to as the crown jewel of peonies and is often used in photographs due to its sparkling and effervescent color. It is popular with floral designers for its long vase life and beloved by many for its striking color.
Which peonies bloom the longest?
The longest blooming peonies are tree peonies. These are deciduous perennial shrubs and the blooms can last for over two weeks if they are protected. Itoh peonies are a hybrid of tree peonies and herbaceous peonies. Their blooms typically last longer than herbaceous peonies and shorter than tree peonies.
Why are intersectional peonies so expensive?
However, because they are still reasonably new, and stock is quite rare, and this is why most Intersectional Peonies are considered expensive when compared to normal peonies.
Do you cut back Itoh peonies in the fall?
In autumn, cut back Itoh peonies to about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm.) up from the soil level. Like herbaceous peonies, Itoh peonies will come back in spring from the ground. In fall, you can also divide Itoh peonies just as you would divide herbaceous peonies.
Should you deadhead Itoh peonies?
Pruning. Itoh peonies can be deadheaded on an as-needed basis throughout the spring and summer months. Deadheading will stimulate the plant into producing additional waves of blossoms. In the fall, cut them about 4 to 6 inches from the soil level—or to wherever the stems die back to.
How long do intersectional peonies flower?
3-4 weeksEach plant can remain in bloom for 3-4 weeks, with new buds continually opening over this period. They can be used as cut flowers and offer a wide array of yellows and golds-colors not commonly available in herbaceous peonies. Intersectional peonies, on average, grow to approximately 2.5 feet tall.
How long do intersectional peonies bloom?
Intersectional Peony Flowers They bloom same time as herbaceous peonies from early to late June, but because they have so many buds they in bloom for longer, for up to 3 weeks or more. The flowers are big, and generally semi-double.
What happens if you don't cut back peonies?
What happens if you don't cut bush peony stems off in the fall? The leaves and stems of herbaceous (bush) peonies, including the intersectional Itoh peonies will eventually die back as the plants go dormant for the winter. The leaves will start to deteriorate and the stems will fall to the ground and turn 'mushy'.
What is the most common peony?
Herbaceous peonies are the most common species in the genus Paeonia and they flower in late spring/early summer. Herbaceous peony plants grow well in zones 3 – 8 and grow to become a bushy shrub around 3 ft. (90 cm) tall. The glossy green leaves usually turn a beautiful bronze color in the fall.
Which peony smells best?
Generally speaking, the double, white and pink peonies tend to be the most fragrant while most single and red peonies do not have a scent - though there are a few exceptions.
How many varieties of peonies are there?
33There are 33 recognized species of peonies throughout the world and countless horticultural cultivars. Botanically, peonies are herbaceous perennials or small, woody shrubs. Their leaves alternate along the stem of the plant and are deeply divided into many lobes.
Why do some peonies not smell?
They are old plants that have been divided many times. Could that be the reason? A: There's no obvious reason for a previously scented peony to change its spots, as long as the bud is untroubled by wet or disease as the flower develops. Many blooms are fragrant at certain hours of the day but not others.
What is an intersectional peony?
Intersectional Peonies, also known as Itoh Peonies, are hybrids created by crossing a tree peony and an herbaceous peony. These hybrids produce flowers and leaves reminiscent of the tree peony parent. However, the growth habits mimic the herbaceous parent, dying down to the ground in winter and reemerging green each spring. The plants produce some woody structure, but they remain low to the ground. Like their herbaceous parent, they prefer full sun, but grow well and produce a suitable number of flowers in dappled sunlight.
How long do intersectional peonies bloom?
They reach peak bloom near the end of the herbaceous peony bloom. Each plant can remain in bloom for 3-4 weeks, with new buds continually opening over this period. They can be used as cut flowers and offer a wide array of yellows and golds - colors not commonly available in herbaceous peonies. Intersectional peonies, on average, grow to approximately 2.5 feet tall. Their compact form is well suited to the front of the perennial border. They grow in zones 3-9. Lovely large flowers, available in a unique yellow-bronze colorway, nicely shaped plant, no staking required.
Why are my peonies not blooming?
This can be due to several reasons, such as mulching or shift in soil in the garden. Peonies are very sensitive to planting depth. If the plant becomes too deep, as it does when mulched, the shoots (called eyes) that form at the top of the root (the crown) do not get their proper "winter chill" and cannot form flower buds. This lack of winter chill is why peonies do not grow in places such as Florida or Southern California. If you have peonies that are not blooming, check the depth of your peony by delicately moving a bit of the soil from the top portion of the plant being careful not to break off the delicate pink eyes. The top of the root should be from 0.5 to 1.5 inches below the surface of the soil. For details on the exact planting depth for your area, see the Planting section. If you find your peony to be too deep, it will need to be lifted. Transplanting is best done in the fall; moving it in the fall will also ensure that it gets the proper winter chill in the following season. Note that the first year after it is transplanted, it may not bloom as peonies take a year to recover from being transplanted. Don't worry, they are well worth the wait and will live for hundreds of years.
Why won't my peony flower?
Mulch will bury the crown of the peony too deeply and eventually cause it not to flower. In transitioning away from using mulch, remember that light layers of compost applied regularly around the drip line of your peonies (again, not on the crown) will feed your garden and can also help suppress weeds.
What does it mean when peony leaves turn white?
If you are experiencing a white powder like covering on the leaves of your peony, you have powdery mildew in your garden.
What to do if peony is declining?
If the overall health of your plant is declining, check planting depth, the amount of water, competition of roots, depletion of nutrients in the soil, or note if the area has flooded recently. It may be time to transplant your peony to a new location. Wet soil is a common factor in unhealthy peonies.
How to choose a peony site?
When choosing a site, first consider the amount of sun. The more sun, the more flowers the peony will produce . If planted in less than full sun, it will take longer to mature and won’t produce as many flowers.
What zone do intersectional peonies grow in?
Proven to thrive in USDA zones 4-9, intersectional peonies require well-drained fertile soil and full sun. We know they will also grow in zone 3 Canada, with some extra protection, such as planting near a wall or building and adding extra mulch in winter.
When did itoh peonies start hybridizing?
Intersectional 'Itoh' Peonies. The Japanese nurseryman Toichi Itoh was the first to succeed in hybridizing tree peonies with herbaceous peonies in the 1960s. From this new hybrid group, also known as Itoh peonies, a vibrant palette of colors emerged. A few American hybridizers have been exceptionally successful in making these difficult crosses.
Do intersectional peonies come back?
Flowers are held upright on top of the bush and never require any kind of support. In the fall, after the frost, intersectional peonies are cut back to ground level, and the plants come back larger each spring.
What is an Itoh peony?
Itoh intersectional peonies are a hybrid cross between a bush peony and a tree peony. They are often referred to as Itoh peonies, after the first successful breeder of these magnificent peonies, Mr. Toichi Itoh. They are perennial, bush peonies in their growth habitat and display foliage and flowers reminiscent of their tree peony parent.
Do intersectional peonies produce flowers?
They are perennial, bush peonies in their growth habitat and display foliage and flowers reminiscent of their tree peony parent. They produce loads of flowers at maturity. Most intersectional peonies have exceptionally pleasant fragrance and are quite stately in any garden. Intersectional peonies stand up well to all types ...
What is an intersectional peony?
To start off, Intersectional Garden Peonies refer to hybrids between Tree Peonies and Herbaceous Peonies. Some of the distinctive features so these peonies include flower colors such as orange and yellow, stronger stems and have attractive foliage through fall.
How big is the intersectional itoh?
Flowers range from semi-double to double, and like most Itoh hybrids are shown off on sturdy stems top out at about 34 inches. Another Roger Anderson creation.
What color is semi double intersection?
Semi-double intersection features pale lavender on the edges of the petals, fading to cream toward the center with dark purple flares at the base.
What is an intersectional peony?
Intersectionals, also know as intersectional hybrid or Itoh’s hybrid peonies, are truly the next generation of peonies. These strong-stemmed plants are a cross between a tree peony and a garden peony, look spectacular, and are easy to grow.
What color is Peony Field Days?
Purple color and glossy foliage unlike any other intersectional! If you saw me at Peony Field Days, here’s your chance to bring me home!
What color are the petals on Lake Minnetonka?
Post-Civil War, elegant hotels on Lake Minnetonka filled their lobbies with the perfume of blooms like our light-hearted pink petals with reddish flares and pale yellow stamens. Wonderful foliage.
What is Minnetonka's new berry?
Minnetonka is filled with natural beauty and remarkable private gardens. Our new “berry” has raspberry blooms with delicately crinkled petals, buttery yellow stamens, and spectacular foliage.
What color are the petals of a rose?
A simply stunning cut flower, particularly after the plant has matured, and an award-winning plant. Frothy, butter-yellow petals open to reveal an orange-red heart.
What color is Freesia?
A quick grower with prized, glossy foliage. Freesia-scented blooms open in muted mauves an antique brick, then fade to a creamier yellow.
Who prefers Bartzella over ruffled petals?
It’s fantastic. Hybridizer Roger Anderson favors this over Bartzella, an impressive choice. Ruffled petals of incredible color on well-shaped foliage are simply stunning.
