Selection: White, pink, or red; double, single, or Japanese (anemone) form; you are sure to find a variety just right for you among the 60+ herbaceous peonies we grow. Tree peonies are single or double, in red, pink, white, yellow and purple.

Value: Our potted peonies are multi-stemmed, mature plants that will bloom this year—in the pot or in your garden. Talk about instant gratification! Our display clumps are integrated into our garden to give you great landscaping ideas. All our plants are inspected and healthy, and we can provide the compost and other tools to insure your success with the plants you choose.
Our knowledgeable staff will help you with planting tips and future care.

More About Peonies: Peonies were the stars of the Golden Age of estate gardening, possibly because they have the size and “presence” to complement the massive Victorian architecture of that period. We are fortunate in Central New York to have an abundance of old peonies. Not only did Professor Saunders, the most prolific and distinguished hybridizer of peonies before 1950, teach at Cornell and at Hamilton College, the now-defunct Indian Springs Farm near Baldwinsville was once the premier cut peony shipper in the nation. Before World War Two, they grew or contracted over 200 acres of peonies, and shipped them by the railcar load!

There are lots of active peony breeders today, as well, and many new varieties are notable for stronger stems, as well as expansion of the color range. There is a class of peonies (ITOH) which are crosses between herbaceous and tree peonies, and it is from these that we expect to have more yellow and purple/lavender peonies available in the future. The American Peony Society maintains an award system, certifies judges, holds conventions where new varieties are exhibited, and maintains registration lists. As with all specialty plant societies, membership in the Society gives you the most up-to-date information about peony varieties and culture. Phoenix Flower Farm will provide you with a $10 gift certificate for future purchases when you join the American Peony Society through us.

Quick Culture Summary: When you buy a potted peony from us, be sure to plant it at the depth it is in the pot. The single greatest cause of failure to bloom is planting peonies too deep. When it comes time to divide your plants, do it in September, and plant the root buds 1 to 2 inches below the surface--no more! Plant peonies as if you were planting a tree—for your grandchildren. The hole should be twice as large as the #10 pot we grow our peonies in, and refilled halfway with a mix of compost (we recommend Nutri-brew) and good soil. Set the root ball in the whole and put back soil to the ground level. Water in well. Allow a 3 ft x 3 ft space for each plant. Ongoing care consists of regular watering, feeding with a good general fertilizer early in the Spring, and maintaining good air circulation around the plant. In later years, be sure the spot continues to be sunny. The only notable disease is botrytis or other fungal disease, and the best cure is prevention. This means cutting down peonies to 1 – 2 inches in the Fall after a hard freeze. Remove all the foliage and do not compost it. Should peonies develop fungus, remove and dispose of all affected leaves, and treat according to package directions.

Special Events: If you’re really “into” peonies and/or irises, ask about our June 6th and 7th road trip to the Royal Botanical Garden at Hamilton, Ontario. We will be visiting this world-class garden at the height of peony season to see their fine collection.

At the Farm you can see peonies from mid-May (species) to mid-June and you can always “talk peonies” with us—we’re all enthusiasts. One of our September seminars will include a peony division demonstration, including tree peonies.