Submitted photo Bev Crawford
Leigha loves the strong sweet fragrance of her peonies.
My co-worker Donna and I attended the Medicine Hat Horticulture Society’s April meeting on Monday night because they had two peony experts there to educate local garden enthusiasts about the different types of peonies, and their planting care. The evening was very informative and their slide show was beautiful.
The two women came to our greenhouse the next day to give advice about the condition of our peony display. They were impressed with our quality and prices. Peonies can be expensive, especially the Fern leaf varieties which are rare and only about 15 to 24 inches tall and wide. They have a delicate fine furry foliage, soft to the touch.
Peonies are one of the longest lived and hardiest perennials you can plant. They can live from 20 to 50 years! I tell customers that you can sometimes view a peony still blooming at a long abandoned farmhouse which only Mother Nature has been nurturing. They are usually hardy to zone 2.
The double or Chinese peonies are the most plentiful and popular varieties. Planting location, depth and spacing, as well as soil preparation are very important for this long lived beauty, so ask the staff for planting instructions.
After the peony experts gave me their advice, they bought some perennials and roses from our centre and were treated to a wonderful tour through John’s Butterfly House by our very enthusiastic guide, Monica. Monica knows where all the interesting “stuff” is. We saw eggs laid on leaves; learned which plants the large green caterpillars like to munch on; Linda got to hold a wiggling chrysalis with the butterfly inside; we learned that the caterpillars turn to a liquid soup inside that chrysalis before transforming to an actual butterfly. It was a fascinating tour! If you have never been to John’s Butterfly House, you are missing one of the best attractions in our city.
At the MHHS meeting the announcement of “flower of the year,” the snapdragon, was made. Each year they designate a flower to be represented and you can view these all season in many local gardens. Antirrhinum magus, snapdragon, is a beautiful vertical addition to your garden. They range in height from the short Snapshot variety (6-10″ tall), to medium Liberty Series (18-22″ tall), and up to 36″ in the Rocket Series. Plant different varieties for height variance.
Snapdragons come in a great variety of colours and planting en masse makes a beautiful impression. They love full sun but can tolerate a little shade. Deadheading ensures bloom from early summer to mid-fall. They also make a great cut flower!
Donna and I surely appreciated our invitation to the hort meeting. They are a very welcoming group that are always accepting new members. They have special speakers at their meetings so it is a great place to learn and share all things for gardening. If you know of an avid gardener willing to share their oasis on the annual garden tour, July 14, please let them know.
In the meantime enjoy your yard clean-up, spray Bobex on your tulips so the deer don’t eat them, and come to the Windmill to see spring blooming!
Bev Crawford is the Perennial House Manager at The Windmill Garden Centre and John’s Butterfly House.
