ITOH (Intersectional Peony) Berry Garcia -
Intersectional Peony Hybrid (ITOH) BERRY GARCIA
A superb upward facing bright ducky pink with deep rose base to the bloom. Growing a bit like a woody shrub, these lovely plants flower freely and tolerate a far warmer climate than their herbaceous parents. ITOH Peonies will also often bloom in their first year. VERY LIMITED SUPPLY.
- HEIGHT: 50cm+
- WIDTH: 30cm
- SUPPLIED AS: Dormant roots
- PLANT DEPTH: Yes no more than 2-3cm deep
- PLANT SPACING: 40cm (Cut flower) - 100cm (Long term garden bed)
- PLANTING WINDOW: April - August
- FLOWERING TIME: October - November
- GROWING ZONES: Vic, SA, TAS, Cold NSW, Cold QLD. Anywhere a frost is achieved each year.
- CUT FLOWER: Yes
- FRAGRANT: Yes
**(information above is based on having been established for 3 years)
ITOH Peonies, or Intersectional Peonies as they are botanically called are a cool climate perennial. There natural habitat includes limestone mountains around Asia including China, Japan, Tibet and Siberia with limited species found in North America. They are a hardy plant once established, but do take some time to settle down after being shifted. Growing on a woody root system under-ground, peonies are best given ample space, and as such not overly suited to being in pots long term.
When selecting a position, think frost. They love the cold frosty mornings. A full sun to partly shaded position with free draining soil is necessary. Prepare your bed to a depth of 30cm, with the soil being nice and friable. Peonies have a PH requirement of 7.5-8 (alkaline), and most gardens will need a few kg (not kidding) of lime added to their growing area. Some well composted and broken down manure can also be added to the hole. Cover the roots to the base of the 'woody sections' with foliage nodes. The leaf nodes will sprout forth in spring. Unlike Herbaceous Peonies, this section needs to be exposed rather than fully covered.
ITOH Peonies can be allowed to bloom in their first season.
A queen is not made in a single year.... Peonies do not like to be disturbed, preferring to be left in ground for many years. Please select a spot for your Peonies that allows them the space to settle and develop over time to become the queen of the garden. Remember - they are slow. The old saying goes 'The first year they sleep, The second year they creep and the Third year they leap.
Happy Gardening!