There are a number of challenging plants that most good gardeners would like to grow and these include peonies (sometimes referred to as a peony roses as the flower resemble roses although the peonies are not related to roses). Of all the peonies, tree peonies are the most difficult plants to grow.
The desire to grow or admire peonies is not a modern phenomenon. Peonies grown in China were once a luxury item, selling for the equivalent of thousands of dollars for one flower stem.
The genus name Paeonia is derived from Paion, the physician to the gods in Greek mythology, implying praise for something of exceptional quality. Peonies are also very difficult plants to grow. Despite this, the good points about peonies, which make them so desirable in a cool climate garden are:
There are many species and cultivated varieties of peonies but they are broadly divided into two groups in the garden:
All peonies need cool climates and are best grown only in the colder parts of Australia including mountain districts, parts of Victoria and Tasmania.
Of the two types, the tree peony is the harder plant to grow. As well, plants are extremely expensive to buy and tend to be available only from specialist nurseries. When buying tree peonies always look for named varieties and ask for cultural notes to accompany your purchase. Plants can be bought in pots or as tubers when dormant.
Recommended varieties: Although tree peonies are notoriously difficult to grow there are some recommended varieties that are a little more vigorous and so easier to grow. These are all forms of Japanese tree peonies.Four varieties recommended by John Roberts are : ‘Souvenir de Maxime Cornu’ (Paeonia xlemoinei)commonly sold as ‘Kinshe’- a large, full double yellow flower, tipped with orange
Peonies can be found at the following specialist nurseries and are not usually available in areas where the peonies won’t grow. Peonies are sold when the plants are dormant in winter (around June). Herbaceous Peonies are also sold as potted specimens throughout the year.
The Heritage Nursery
Banks St, Weston Park, Yarralumla, 2600
Phone: (02) 6281 7373
www.heritagenursery.com.au
Kirkconnell Limberlost Nursery
Sunny Corner Road Yetholme 2795
Phone: (02) 6337 5290
Gibbs Nursery
Albury 2640
Phone: (02) 6021 6247
Mount Boyce Nursery
Blackheath 2785
Phone: (02) 4787 8339.
Webbers Nursery
355 Great Western Highway
BLACKHEATH 2785
Phone: (02) 4787 5133
www.webersnursery.com.au
Mt Murray Nursery
Headlam Rd, Moss Vale
(02) 4869 4111
Blows Bros Nursery
150 Sturt Valley Road Stirling 5152
Phone: (08) 8339 1309
Cleveland Nursery
91 Mt Barker Rd Stirling 5152
Phone: (08) 8339 1595
www.clevelandnursery.com.au
Dicksonia Rare Plants
341 Mt Macedon Road Mt Macedon 3441
Phone: (03) 5426 3075
The Greenery
4 Banksia Road Heidelberg
Phone: (03) 9458 8433
Tesselaar Bulbs and Flowers
357 Monbulk Road Silvan 3795
Phone: (03) 9737 9811
www.tesselaar.net.au
Trenton Cottage
156 Townsend Road Whittington 3219
Phone: (03) 5248 1458
Wishing Well Nursery
407 Monbulk Road Monbulk 3793
Phone: (03) 9756 6107
Broersen Plants
Phone: (03) 9737 9202
www.broersen.com.au
Garden Express
470 MONBULK ROAD, MONBULK, 3793
Phone: 1300 606 242
www.gardenexpress.com.au
Misty Downs Nursery
2301 Midland Hwy, Springmount 3364
Phone: (03) 5345 2847
www.mistydowns.com.au
Peony Garden
283 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, 3000
Phone: 0417 015 520
www.peonygarden.com.au
Allan’s Nursery
Victoria Street, Youngtown TAS 7249
Phone: (03) 6343 1800
New Town Station Nursery
65 Bellevue Parade New Town 7008
Phone: (03) 6228 7705
Riverview Nursery
PO Box 435 Devonport 7310
Phone: (03) 6424 5847
Van Diemens Quality Bulbs
363 Table Cape Rd, Wynyard, 7325
Phone: 1800 179 113
www.vdqbulbs.com.au