Peonies at Solaris Farms and Pricelist For Fall of 2008
Intersectional or Itoh Peonies	Herbaceous Peonies	Tree (Shrub) Peonies
A Bit More About Solaris Farms' Peony Operation

We offer limited number cultivars this year and will gradually make more plants available as propagation increases our stocks in the fields.  Peonies will only be dug September 1st to October 15th, and therefore are only available through mail order or by farm pickup during this period.  Customers may make arrangements to come to the farm during peony bloom season to select plants in bloom and preorder for fall.  Below you will find a listing of our offerings for the fall of 2006, followed by a listing of display plants.  The display plants will come available as propagation successes are realized. 

Ordering Information                                                                             Peony Culture and Care
Standard Solaris Divisions	Intersectional Peonies (sometimes called Itoh hybrids) Intersectionals are hybrids between a herbaceous peony and a tree peony.  Foliage is very beautiful and flowers are generally large and held on sturdy stems.   This group of peonies is in high demand due to their outstanding plant habits, flowers, and year round appeal.  Plants are very hardy and may be treated as a herbaceous peony.  Many gardeners liken this plant to an herbaceous peony that possesses tree peony flowers and generally grows more vigorously than either of the parents.  Excellent plants that are among the best new perennial garden plants available in the past century!
	Bartzella	(Anderson)...38" plant height.  The best yellow peony I have ever seen.  Flowers are full double, and may reach 8 inches or more in size.  Plants are always healthy and the foliage remains a vibrant deep green until killing frosts arrive.	$90.00 Large 3 to 5 eye division
	First Arrival	(Anderson)  First of Roger Anderson's intersectionals to bloom and still easily one of the best.  Foliage is a beautiful dark green and is covered with large double pink flowers in the spring.  A beautiful plant in or out of bloom.  Seed pods are interesting as well.	$90.00 Large 3 to 5 eye division
	Hidden Treasure	(Seidl)...30" plant height.  Another excellent full double yellow that is very heavy with a high petal count.  The plants are short (unique) and the flowers are often hidden beneath the foliage, thus the name.  It is an outstanding flower for cutting and floating in a bowl. Great foliage throughout the summer and fall.   Beautiful and difficult to find, a worthy garden subject for the front of the border.	$45.00 Large 3 to 5 eye division
	Hillary	(Anderson)...36" plant height. Gorgeous cream pink pastel that changes color as it ages.  Plants often have a variety of flowers with different colors at one time.  Excellent.	Sold Out
	Lafayette Escidrille	(Seidl/Pherson)...36" plant height.  Red flowers are carried nicely over the outstanding foliage.  Flowers are unique in that they are single, narrow and twist and turn.  Nicely cut leaves that present themselves nicely on a bush.  I like the plant for the foliage qualities, excellent landscape plant out of flower.    Easy grower and fast increaser. Image courtesy of Daniel Ell.	$40.00 Large 3 to 5 eye division
	Lollipop	(Anderson)...36" plant height.  Beautiful and unique cream flowers streaked with purple, violet and pink.  Flowers are semi-double and present themselves nicely.  Nice foliage and a nice fragrance.  Every bit as nice as Bartzella!	Sold Out
	Oneida Chief	(Anderson/Seidl)...36" plant height.  Not registered.  A very nice single clear red flower of large size.  The carples are red tipped and then bright green, excellent contrast.  Easy grower and great foliage throughout the season.  Our image does not do it justice.  Likely will get registered in the future.	$70.00 Large 3 to 5 eye division
	Pastel Splendor	(Seidl)...36" plant height.  Another pastel cream with pink suffusion.  Has darker maroon flares at center.  Single formed flowers of large size.  Another superior plant habit with excellent foliage form.  Strong stems are red and the foliage is more finely cut than other intersectional peonies.  Flowers do open wide and flat, we just haven't captured them on film very well.  If you like grafting, we have been very successful with this one.  The plants we sell are not grafted plants though, rather large divisions.	$70.00 Large 3 to 5 eye division
	Viking Full Moon	(Seidl/Pherson)...36" plant Height.  Creamy almost porcelain flower color sometimes with hints of pink and have light pink basal flares.  Flowers have a luminescent quality.   Flowers are circular in form and single.  Very healthy foliage and an outstanding grower.  Foliage is always good and the plant is incredible when in clump form.  Excellent and scarce.  Standing behind a large clump of a light lavender mutation of Viking Full Moon is Bill Seidl, the originator.  Next year we hope to offer this mutation of Bill's.	$70.00 Large 3 to 5 eye division
	White Emperor	(Itoh/Seidl)...30" plant height.  One of the original intersectionals developed by Mr. Itoh of Japan, but a mutation of Yellow Emperor.  Flowers and plants are identical, accept for flower color-which is a creamy white.	Sold Out
	Yellow Crown	(Itoh)...30" plant height.  One of the original intersectionals developed by Mr. Itoh of Japan.  A very good plant that has stood the test of time.  Yellow Crown looks very much like Yellow Emperor, so much so, that I have great difficulty telling them apart.  Nice yellow flowers with pinkish-red basal flares.  Good grower.	Sold Out
	Yellow Emperor	(Itoh)...30" plant height.  One of the original intersectionals developed by Mr. Itoh of Japan.  A very good plant that has stood the test of time.  Flowers are a bright lemon yellow with pinkish-red basal flares.  Leaves have heavy substance and are disease resistant.	Sold Out
Herbaceous Peonies (lactifloras, species, and Hybrids, etc...) Herbaceous peonies are generally what our grandmothers grew in their gardens in the north.  They are also what we are most accustomed to seeing in northern gardens at this time.  Many new hybrids in the lactiflora group have become available in recent years, as well as hybrids between various species and hybrids.  The group as a whole has seen a renaissance of sorts that has produced some of the most gorgeous flowers to grace North American gardens since flower gardening became popular.  Herbaceous peonies are well suited for the north due to their below ground dormancy in winter months and are very durable and adaptable.  One word...yes, this type of peony will attract ants, but there is no scientific evidence that ants are required for proper flower opening or that these ants then travel into the houses.   Many myths concerning this flower and ants exist and most are unfounded.  We have a greater variety of plants at the farm than listed below, but can list them due to limited numbers available.
	tenufolia rubra 'flora plena'	(species) Beautiful fern leaf species with bright red, fully double flowers.  Blooms very early.  Can go dormant during very hot dry summers, so it's garden location should always be marked.  Not a fast increaser, but certainly worth growing and not difficult to grow.	Sold Out
	Carnation Bouquet	(Seidl)  Hybrid.  Excellent double flowers of soft white and pink.  Flowers have heavy substance and are born on excellent stems.  Unique and desirable.  Scarce.	$50.00 Large 3 to 5 eye roots
	Edulis Superba	(Lemon 1824)  Old cut flower standard, excellent bloomer.  Beautiful large double pink flowers.  This one was growing out of the grass horse pastures at our farm when we first started Solaris.  Plants are incredibly productive and is a favorite of many visitors.  Easy to grow and has an luscious sweet fragrance (probably the scent we associate with the peonies of old).	$12.00 Large 3 to 5 eye roots
	Etched Salmon	(Reath)  Hybrid.  A tremendously gorgeous flower.  Vibrant pink double with petals fading to near white at the edges giving it a frosted look.  Excellent foliage and strong stems.	Sold Out for 2008
	Felix Crousse	(Crousse)  Lactiflora.  An old standby that does well in a wide variety of garden locations.  Large full double red flowers are lavishly produced on plants that may need some staking.  Nice fragrance.	$15.00 Large 3 to 5 eye roots
	Mary Jo Lagare	Hybrid.  A plant that often appears on popularity poll lists for good reason.  Flowers are very full double and have an iridescent pink color.  Plants are shorter than average, but put on an outstanding show.	$27.00 Large 3 to 5 eye roots
	Moon Over Barrington	(Klehm)  Lactiflora.  Excellent white bomb double.  A vigorous plant that produces an abundant number of beautifully formed flowers.  Foliage is good as is stem strength.	$18.00 Large 3 to 5 eye roots
	Mrs. FDR	(Franklin 1932)  Lactiflora.  Beautiful full double pink.  Mrs. FDR is another popular peony that has elegance galore.  Petals are wide and are not piled as bomb shaped flowers are.  Excellent and vigorous.	$20.00 Large 3 to 5 eye roots
	Moon of Nippon	(Auten 1936)  Lactiflora.  Gorgeous white single flowers carried on sturdy stems.  Each stem carries from 1 to 4 flowers that open at different times.  Easy to grow and simply gorgeous as a clump.  Mildly fragrant.	$12.00 Large 3 to 5 eye roots
	Paula Fay	(Fay 1968)  Hybrid.  Gorgeous vibrant neon pink.  Paula Fay is a can't miss in the garden.  Plants are excellent growers and have heavy glossy green foliage.  Fragrance is very strong and not enjoyed by everyone that experiences it.  Well worth growing!	$22.00 Large 3 to 5 eye roots
	Pink Vanguard	(Seidl)  Hybrid.  Large single soft pink flowers that often fade to near white.  Very circular in form.  Plants have nicely rounded deep green foliage.  Excellent grower and a worthwhile plant for the landscape.	$18.00 Large 3 to 5 eye roots
	Pink Cameo	(Klehm)  Lactiflora.  A large pink bomb flower with wide guard petals.  A heavy bloomer that produces for a number of weeks.  Another excellent Klehm lactiflora hybrid.	$15.00 Large 3 to 5 eye roots
	Red Charm	Hybrid.  Huge red flowers on sturdy stems.  Of all the reds, I like this one the best.  Flowers appear to be red dinner plates with a large pom-pom of red resting in the center.  Stems may need some staking due to the very large flowers.  Flowers last longer than many peonies in our experience.  We lost our image this year and will certainly photograph it this coming spring.	$22.00 Large 3 to 5 eye roots
	Red Magic	(China)  Lactiflora.  Dark red double flowers carried on a healthy bush.  Easy to grow and a productive bloomer.	$15.00 Large 3 to 5 eye roots
	Sea Shell	(Sass)  Lactiflora.  Large light pink single that fades to nearly white as it ages.  Each stem carries up to four buds that bloom over a period of time, which increases the time to enjoy this beautiful plant.  Stems are sturdy and easily carry the numerous flowers.  Mildly fragrant.	$12.00 Large 3 to 5 eye roots
2 year plant 3 Year Plant 3 to 4 year Plant	Tree Peonies (Moutan, Moudan and Hybrids) Tree peonies have long been the flowers of nobility in the orient and have gotten a much undeserved reputation in the United States as a plant that is difficult to grow.  The plants do take time to mature, but may live for many hundreds of years given proper care.   Flowers often appear other worldy due to their incredible size and sometimes crepe paper-like texture.  Tree peonies are not trees, but do have persistent woody stems that may attain heights of 2 feet to over 8 feet (this will depend on the cultivar and/or location of planting).  The plants provide 4 seasons of interest and in my opinion should be more widely grown in our northern gardens.  If I had but one small space to plant a garden, this plant would be the choice! Nearly all of our offerings were plants grafted at Solaris Farms and are of excellent quality.  At the time of shipping we will remove the nurse root at the graft if sufficient tree peony roots have grown.  If the herbaceous peony understock remains, the plant will do equally as well in our experience.  After three years, or so, it is beneficial to dig the plant back up and remove the nurse root and no allow the tree peony to be an 'own root plant'.  Some of the tree peonies we sell are division stock and will need no attention at time of shipping.  Full instructions for planting will be shipped with your tree peonies.
	Age of Gold	(Saunders-Lutea Hybrid)  A favorite and good performing yellow.  Plants are vigorous and typically only reach 3' in height by 3' in width or more.  Not a good seed setter, but the few that are produced often produce excellent seedlings.  Very nice field grown divisions.	$45.00 Own root large field divisions
	Anna Marie	(Seidl-Advanced Generation Lutea Hybrid)  Excellent plant habits and wonderful large deep lavender flowers with dark basal flares on plants that go to 4' in height.  Over time plants spread to 4' or more in width.  Super foliage and has been grown in Wisconsin for many years without any winter difficulties.   Will make seed sporadically that produce some very nice seedlings.	$45.00 3 year grafted plants
	Antigone	(Daphnis-Advanced Generation Lutea Hybrid.)  Excellent golden/peach colored flowers held nicely above the foliage.	Sold Out
	Ariadne	Daphnis-Advanced Generation Lutea Hybrid.) Semi-double, peach w/rose edging and fringes and red centered flowers.  Beautiful!	Sold Out
	Chojuraku	(Japan-Moutan).  Beautiful lavender flowers with darker basal flares.  Sturdy fast growing plants.  Our plants are field grown and are now 4 year olds that bloomed heavily last year.  Most have made many of their own roots.	$45.00 4 year grafted plants (can have nurse root removed)
	Golden Era	(Reath-Advanced Generation Lutea Hybrid).   Yellow-gold with excellent plant habits.  Plants are about the same size as Age of Gold, but slightly larger with better foliage.  Good pollen producer and has been successfully used in intersectional crosses.  A large beauty.	$80.00 3 year grafted plants and own root field divisions
	Ice Age	(Seidl/Saunders-Lutea hybrid).  A sport of 'Age of Gold' that is a creamy white-same wonderfully formed flowers and excellent plant habit.  These are divisions are nice sized divisions originating from Bill Seidl's garden.  Will set seed occasionally.  We have not yet seen seedlings from it bloom, but are looking forward to the first in a couple years.	$70.00 4 to 5 year own root field divisions
	Pluto	(Daphnis-Advanced Generation Lutea hybrid).  One of the darkest bright red tree peonies, Pluto is like a dark planet (I know, it's not a planet anymore).  Easy plant to grow that is a very sturdy grower and produces flowers that are stunning.	$80.00 3 year grafted plants
	Schichifukujin	(Japan-Moutan)  Huge bright pink flowers carried on sturdy stems.  Petal edges lighten in color to give a frosted affect.  Very beautiful.  Virgorous growers and a wonderful plant.  Our plants are now 4 year olds and have bloomed heavily and many have made their own roots.	$45.00 4 year grafted plants (can have nurse root removed)
	Shima Nishiki	(Japan-Mouton)  Red flowers streaked in white or sometimes flowers will be all red or all white.  Stunning plants grow quickly and are of easy culture.     Our plants are now 4 year olds and have bloomed heavily and many have made their own roots.	Sold Out
	Terpsichore	(Daphnis-Advanced Generation Lutea Hybrid)  .  Single, two rows of coral colored petals w/orange viens. Not often available and in limited supply.	Sold Out
	Zephyrus	(DaphnisLutea hybrid).  Double, lavender w/maroons flares at center, deep green foliage.  An excellent flower and plant that ranks among our favorites.	Sold Out
Other available in very limited supplies are:  Yachiyo Tsubachi...$50.00;   Boreas...$55.00.

Prices within these web pages are for 2008.  Plant availability is subject to change due to quantities being purchased and growing conditions.  We try to keep this page as up to date as possible, but we do recommend e-mailing us to confirm availability.   No tissue culture plants are sold by Solaris Farms.  All plants are guaranteed true to name.  It is our aim to ship/dig the nicest and healthiest plants we grow.  If for some reason a plant does not come through shipping well or does not establish, we want to know!  We'll make it right.    We are a state inspected nursery and keep a clean operation at all times.   For further information on ordering see our detailed mail order page.   Peonies are only shipped during the fall season.

All plants are field grown and should perform very well given a minimum of attention and good planting site selection.

A Tad more about our Peony operation...

Solaris Farms, over the past several years, has been working to bring both herbaceous and tree peonies into our offerings and display gardens.  At this time our stocks of most cultivars are very limited, but are of great value and beauty.   Peonies are ideal plants for the north and are extremely hardy in our difficult climate (this includes tree peonies).  The plants are extremely long lived with some basic care and should provide a lifetime of enjoyment.  Typically peonies 'appear' to be rather expensive, but the gardener should take into consideration the longevity of this plant, as well as the interest it can generate after flowering (excellent foliage during summer as well as good color in the fall).  Our peonies are field grown and are only sold as bare root plants.  All are blooming size unless otherwise noted and should be good performers for our customers in a relatively short period of time.  

With the assistance of William Seidl and Kris Casey our peony program has grown leaps and bounds.  Bill Seidl has been an invaluable resource for both information, plant material and grafting labor.  If you aren't familiar with Bill, he is a world recognized hybridizer of both herbaceous and hybrid tree peonies.  His contributions to the peony world include some outstanding peony hybrids as well as assistance to the body of knowledge concerning this group of plants.  In my opinion his greatest accomplishment has been the ambassadorship he has so freely given to the peony world.  Bill is responsible for introducing many, many people to the pleasures of growing peonies, as well as educating them.  Kris Casey, of course, can be found working at our farm during the summer months and is a Bill Seidl convert as well.  Kris has a large peony collection, as well, and has provided many recommendations concerning peony cultivars.  She has also has freely given time and efforts to make our peony program a stand out.  I owe both of these outstanding people a debt of gratitude-Thanks Bill and Kris!

We also carry quite a few of Bill Seidl's herbaceous hybrid seedlings and shrub (tree) advanced generation lutea hybrid seedlings in very limited numbers.  At this time we do not have images/or pictures and only very limited descriptions.  These may be purchased at the farm.