September 26th…
Another indication of how weird this year is…or maybe not…?
This was in bloom in the garden last night. A lutea tree peony (with very sad looking foliage) in full flower. There have been other years when this plant, an unnamed variety, has attempted a bloom this late in the season, but I’ve never seen such a beautiful effort. Brava!!
I have been trying to name this peony for several years - it’s not easy to identify plants after the label has been lost (or was wrong in the first place, as often happens), but I am now pretty sure this one is High Noon, a lutea tree peony bred by A.P. Saunders, one of the five sons (and one daughter who never gets a mention) of the first director of the Experimental Farm here in Ottawa, and one of the most prolific peony breeders of all time. I notice that it is one which sometimes reblooms in late summer, according to numerous sources, including the American Peony Society, so I think I finally have a name for this beauty.
If so, it is interesting to know that someone told me one time that this peony is planted at his grave, he loved it so much.
I can see why - beautiful in every way, and a second bloom as well!
It’s a keeper…
