Peonies

Peony ‘Do Tell’
An American Peony Society
Gold Medal Selection!

Contrary Marys is excited to offer the following selection of fabuous peonies.

First are 50+ varieties of herbaceous peonies that make a great, low-maintenance, old-fashioned statement for your garden. Plan it right and you can have peonies blooming for a good six weeks! Just plant them in a sunny location in well-drained soil being careful not to site them too deeply (the eyes should be 1½-2” below the soil line.)  First year peonies will not be very floriferous as they spend that year getting established, but after that watch out!! Most make an outstanding cut flower, and even after they are done blooming their foliage remains attractive well into fall - most with blazing burgandy color.  They really are well-worth devoting some space in your garden to as they are very long-lived, no-brainer plants.they just sit and look pretty without many demands!! Once established they are VERY drought tolerant as they are deeply rooted. In late fall, just “whack” them down to the ground - no maintenance issues here!!

A Tree Peony in full glory!

We also offer several varieties of Chinese and Japanese tree peonies. Tree Peonies are truly the royalty of the garden —long ago in ancient China the only person who could actually own a Tree Peony was the Emperor himself! Now you can bring some majesty into your own kingdom by introducing these gems (and I promise I won’t ask to see your Royal License!!) Just remember, they do take a while to achieve their full greatness, but once mature can have a plethora of exquisite blooms that are 10+” across! Come and see our two in the display bed at the Farm and see what I mean! Some more cultural hints:

They do not like to be moved
They like to be sheltered from the wind (don’t we all!)
When fertilizing, use bone meal or a fertilizer low in nitrogen but high in phosphorus and potash
Pruning is only necessary to remove broken branches
Remember, patience, patience, patience!

A “tree” Peony is distinguished from a herbaceous “regular,” bushy peony by a few things:

“Woody” stems/branches, which do not die back to the ground as do the “regular” peonies
They bloom 2-3 weeks prior to “regular” peonies
They are much taller than “bush” peonies, typically 4-5’
They actually appreciate some afternoon shade to protect their delicate, exotic flowers.
Plant Name
Size
Container
Price
‘Abalone Pearl’
26”
#2
$19.95
Peony Abalone PearlA semi-double with fragrant with coral-pink petals and a golden center. The foliage is dark green and attractive, and it blooms early.
‘Angel Cheeks’
26”
#2
$22.95
Peony Angel CheeksA bomb type with fragrant cameo-pink flowers that have hints of red in the uppermost petals. Every bit as cute as its name implies, it is an American Peony Society Gold Medal Winner and a mid-season bloomer.
‘Bandit’
27”
#2
$19.95
Peony BanditThis peony is fully double, creamy pink with delicate silver hues, and blooms late season. 
‘Belle Center’
28”
#2
$19.95
Peony Belle CenterA semi-double early season bloomer with deep, mahogany red large petaled flowers and yellow stamens.
‘Betty Warner’
36”
#2
$19.95
Peony Betty WarnerA great Japanese type that blooms late season with cranberry red flowers with centers just tipped in yellow. Very distinctive!
‘Bride’s Dream’
28”
#2
$19.95
Peony Bride's DreamThis Japanese type is one of my favorites, soft and creamy with pale yellow centers in mid-season.
NEW!‘Chameleon’
15”
#2
$19.95
This little charming rock garden peony has lavender-pink single flowers in early season and finely cut grey-green foliage that looks great all season. Diminutive enough to fit into any sunny spot!
‘Charm’
34”
#2
$19.95
Peony CharmThis Japanese type blooms late with ruby-red flowers with a starburst center etched in butter yellow. Very floriferous!
‘Cheddar Pom Pom’
36”
#2
$19.95
Peony Cheddar Pom PomA bomb type with pure white guard petals that have a twisted golden center. Early bloomer.
‘Circus Circus’
28”
#2
$21.95
Peony Circus CircusA semi-double with twisted petals that are streaked with raspberry and yellow pistils. A real festival of colors! Flowers are fragrant and it’s an early bloomer.
‘Coral Charm’
36”
#2
$22.95
Peony Coral CharmA GORGEOUS  hybrid with semi-double blooms that have deep coral buds that open to coral peach blossoms. Blooms early season. American Peony Society Gold Medal Selection!
‘Coral Sunset’
28”
#2
$24.95
Peony Coral SunsetA semi-double with intense coral blossom that have shades of pink and dark yellow stamens. I’m sure all my Plantheads will NEED this one! Oh, forgot to say that it is also a American Peony Society Gold Medal Selection, blooms early, is fragrant, and has an outstanding habit. Get yours early ‘cause we sell out quick!
‘Coral Supreme’
36”
#2
$22.95
Peony Coral SupremeThis double flowered form is an unusual salmon coral color and it blooms early season. VERY vigorous and a heavy bloomer!
‘Crazy Myrtle’
30”
#2
$19.95
Peony Crazy Myrtle(Well at least it’s not called Crazy Mary!) This Single form has twisted  & flared petals that are streaked with raspberry and red with a yellow center. Something VERY different for your peony collection; she blooms mid-season.
‘Crinkled Linens’
32”
#2
$22.95
Peony Crinkled LinensNow THIS one has such a cool name and is so distinctive, I’m SURE you can make room for it! It is a single flowered early bloomer that blooms its little heart out!
‘Dairy Anne’
24”
#2
$19.95
Peony Dairy AnneA Japanese form with white blooms with red, showy stigmas. It is a mid-season bloomer.
NEW!‘Dancing Butterflies’
32”
#2
$19.95
This single, late peony has bright fuchsia flowers with large yellow stamens that float over the dark, disease resistant foliage. Very floriferous!
‘Do Tell’
32”
#2
$22.95
Peony Do TellThis great mid-bloomer is a Japanese type with soft shell-pink compliments and white and pink center. Very limited quantities! American Peony Society Gold Medal Selection and Contrary Mary Top 10 Honorable Mention!
‘Double White’
24-30”
#2
$19.95
A great mixed selection of doubles in white shades.
‘Edulis Superba’
36”
#2
$19.95
A great new peony with INTENSELY fragrant, double, bright rose flowers with tufted centers. Great for cut flowers and tolerates heavy soils.
‘Fairy Princess’
24”
#2
$19.95
Peony Fairy PrincessThis little hybrid is a single flower form with bright fire-engine red dainty cupped blossoms early season. Her diminutive habit fits in anywhere!
‘Fairy’s Petticoat’
30”
#2
$21.95
Peony Fairy's PetticoatDoesn’t this just sound like a Contrary favorite?! You really can imagine a fairy donning this dainty pink, very full bomb type flower. It’s fragrant too! It made this year’s list as a Contrary Mary Top 10 Honorable Mention!
NEW!‘Gay Paree’
30”
#2
$19.95
Peony ‘Gay Paree’This Japanese type mid-bloomer has cerise pink guards and shell pink centers. Very strong stems make it great for cut flowers! Available Fall 2008.
‘Gardenia’
34”
#2
$19.95
Peony GardeniaThis double flower form has very large, full white flowers in late season.
‘Golly’
34”
#2
$19.95
Peony GollyThis double form has apple-blossom pink guards and center with a circle of gold staminodes. A mid bloomer.
‘Green Halo’
30”
#2
$22.95
Peony Green HaloA very unusual early-mid season bloomer with semi-double flowers that have white petals arising from a light green petal base. COOL!
‘Hermoine’
36”
#2
$19.95
Peony HermioneA double form with huge full fluffy flowers of apple blossom pink. Strong stems so it makes an excellent cut flower; blooms late.
‘Honey Gold’
30”
#2
$27.95
Peony Honey GoldA bomb type that has an outstanding and unusual combination of soft white and honey-gold. Fragrant and an awesome cut flower; blooms mid season.
NEW!‘Honey N’ Cream’
32”
#2
$19.95
This Japanese form mid-bloomer has a double row of frothy guards and honey yellow stamens…very fragrant and strong stems (awesome cut flowers!). Available Fall 2008.
NEW!‘Horizon’
32”
#2
$19.95
This single form, early bloomer has pale, flesh-pink guards with a large gold center….distinctive! Available Fall 2008.
‘Illini Warrior’
32”
#2
$19.95
Peony Illini WarriorA single form with blood-red flowers and yellow stamens. EXTREMELY floriferous, blooms early.
NEW!‘Ivory Atlas’
36”
#2
$19.95
This single, early peony has a double row of ivory-white guards that surround a bright yellow center. A very vigorous grower!
‘Lancaster Imp’
26”
#2
$19.95
Peony Lancaster ImpA bomb type that has pure white guards and a full white center that has occasional red streaking. Very fragrant, and an early bloomer.
‘Lavender Princess’
28”
#2
$22.95
Peony Lavender PrincessThis double form has lavender pink, large full blooms that are fragrant and bloom late. Very vigorous foliage!
‘Lights Out’
36”
#2
$19.95
Peony Lights OutAnother unusual peony, this one is a single flower type with vibrant red petals and golden stamens. It is an early season bloomer.
‘Lil’ Sweetie’
26”
#2
$19.95
Peony Lil' SweetieAs the name implies, this little darlin’ can charm her way anywhere! A very early bloomer with cup-shaped bright red blooms and absolutely fabulous cut-leaf foliage (from tenuifolia parentage). Very Limited!
‘Little Red Gem’
20”
#2
$21.95
Peony Little Red GemAnother wee little wonder with single red blooms and filigreed foliage. Early bloomer,
NEW!‘Lord Cavin’
30”
#2
$19.95
This mid-bloomer has double white flowers that have striping and flushing of pink on the edges…lovely! Available Fall 2008.
‘Love’s Touch’
26”
#2
$21.95
Peony Love's TouchA semi-double to double with shell pink flowers blooming mid-to-late season.
‘Margaret Clark’
34”
#2
$21.95
Peony Margaret ClarkA double form with fuchsia pink very dense, full flowers in late season.
NEW!‘Marshmallow Puff’
28”
#2
$21.95
This double, mid-bloomer has pure white flowers that are fluffy and puffy (as expected!) Strong stems make it great for cuts…available Fall 2008.
NEW!‘Midnight Sun’
38”
#2
$19.95
This mid-blooming Japanese type has deep blood-red flowers with sun gold centers…what a contrast! In addition to its great foliage, it has strong stems for good cut flowers. Available Fall 2008.
NEW!‘Miss America’
36”
#2
$19.95
This early blooming semi-double has snow white petals with golden stamens that have white petals interspersed. A heavy bloomer, great for cut flowers, and An American Peony Society Gold Medal Selection (what else would you expect with that name?!) Available Fall 2008.
‘Moon River’
28”
#2
$21.95
Peony Moon RoverA double form with creamy marshmallow-white flowers that have a pink blush.yum! Blooms mid season.
‘My Petite Cherie’
20-22”
#2
$21.95
Peony My Petite CherieOoh La, La! This dainty doll is soft pink with semi-double flowers that are fragrant. Blooms mid-season;
‘Nick Shaylor’
34”
#2
$21.95
Peony Nick ShaylorA classic double flowered peony with very full rose-type pale pink blooms. Blooms very late in the season so it’s a great extended for your peony show! American Peony Society Gold Medal Selection!
‘Nippon Beauty’
32”
#2
$19.95
This Japanese type has gorgeous deep red blooms with prominent yellow petaloids and blooms mid-season.
NEW!‘Norma Volz’
36”
#2
$19.95
This double, mid-blooming beauty has large, fully double snowball blooms with blush pink highlights. An American Peony Society Gold Medal winner!
‘Pal’
32”
#2
$19.95
Peony PalThis double form has light pink blooms with silver overtones; blooms mid season.
‘Pastel Sunrise’
26”
#2
$19.95
Peony Pastel SunriseThis Japanese type has soft sunrise pink petals and a pale yellow center. Very fragrant, and a mid-bloomer.
‘Paula Fay’
35”
#2
$19.95
Peony Paula FayThis semi-double type has deep shocking pink wavy-textured blooms in early season and a great growth habit.
‘Peppermint Twist’
30”
#2
$19.95
Peony Peppermint TwistThis single to semi-double  has twisted and fluted flower petals that are raspberry pink with a white base and peppermint-raspberry streaking. Fragrant, it blooms mid-season and is a real eye-catcher!
‘Petite Elegance’
26”
#2
$21.95
Peony Petite EleganceThis semi-double to double form has very large 6” blooms of magenta pink with yellow stamens. A mid-bloomer and a hot new color!
‘Pink Hawaiian Coral’
36”
#2
$22.95
Peony Pink Hawaiian CoralA semi-double hybrid with a rose shaped bloom of soft coral with delicate yellow stamens. An American Peony Society Gold Medal Selection, it is fragrant and blooms early.
‘Pink Parfait’
36”
#2
$19.95
Peony Pink ParfaitThis double rose-type has fragrant blooms of a rich, dark pink in late season.
NEW!‘Plainsman’
38”
#2
$19.95
This mid-blooming Japanese type has light flesh pink to white blossoms with unusual creamy stamens. Very heavy bloomer! Available Fall 2008.
‘Port Royale’
28”
#2
$19.95
Peony Port RoyaleA Japanese type with deep wine red petals that have a spiky red center. Great fragrance and a mid-bloomer!
‘Primavere’
34”
#2
$21.95
Peony PrimavereThis Japanese type has creamy outer petals and a large yellow center..a rare color for peonies! Blooms mid-season.
‘Raspberry Charm’
32”
#2
$21.95
A semi-double with the form and growth habit of ‘Coral Charm’ but with raspberry colored flowers! Early bloomer.
NEW!‘Raspberry Sundae’
27”
#2
$21.95
This bomb-type blooms in mid-season and has yummy blush pink and raspberry topping on petals of white. Fragrant and great for cuts! Available Fall 2008.
NEW!‘Ray Payton’
32”
#2
$19.95
This mid-blooming Japanese form has striking cranberry red petals and stamens that are brushed with yellow. Available Fall 2008.
‘Rooster Reveille’
28”
#2
$22.95
Peony Rooster ReveilleA semi-double form in the cactus/dahlia style with shaggy twisted petals of white with red candy streaking. Fragrant, and blooms mid-to-late.
Paeonia tenuiflora ‘Rubra Plena’
14”
#2
$50.00
Peony tenuiflora Rubra PlenaThis rare fern-leaf Peony is treasured by Peony connoisseurs for its very early, double, intense red blooms and finely cut, dainty foliage. VERY distinctive-likes it drier than other Peonies and may go dormant early. Deadhead for best performance. Very limited numbers. Get ‘em before they’re gone!
‘Salmon Surprise’
30”
#2
$19.95
Peony Salmon SurpriseA single with salmon-pink petals and golden centers. Blooms early.
‘Sarah Bernhardt’
36”
#2
$19.95
Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt'A classic double with salmon pink flowers that have red flecking. Very fragrant and floriferous, and a great cut flower. Blooms late.
NEW!‘Serene Pastel’
28”
#2
$21.95
This double mid-bloomer has rounded guards of light salmon with hints of pink. Flowers are fragrant and irresistible!
‘Spiffy’
28”
#2
$21.95
Peony SpiffyA Japanese type with fuchsia red blooms that have a pink-cream center with a sprinkle of fuchsia. Very fragrant and mid-bloomer..
NEW!‘Squirt’
16”
#2
$21.95
This rock garden peony is an early bloomer with single cup-shaped white blossoms that have yellow stamens. Short and sweet with AWESOME cut-leaved foliage!
‘Sweet Shelly’
28”
#2
$19.95
Peony Sweet ShellyA Japanese type with a double row of red guards with a cream center and red-tipped stigmatas. Very fragrant and excellent foliage and a mid-bloomer.
‘Violet Dawson’
32”
#2
$19.95
Peony Violet DawsonA great Japanese type with pure white flowers with bright gold centers. Blooms mid-season.
‘Vixen’
26”
#2
$21.95
Peony VixenA foxy Japanese type with deep pink guards and a brilliant yellow fluffy center. A mid-bloomer.
‘West Elkton’
25”
#2
$19.95
Peony West ElktonA great Japanese type with deep burgundy flowers with golden tipped centers. Blooms mid-season.
‘Yardmaster’
26”
#2
$21.95
Peony YardmasterThis Japanese type is a soft creamy pink with a wide gold center and blooms mid-season.
‘Yellow Crown’
18”
#2
$50.00
Peony Yellow CrownA VERY RARE, VERY LIMITED yellow peony!!! It has double, golden yellow flowers that bloom mid-season. Don’t wait!!!

 

     
Japanese Tree Peony ’High Noon’
4’
#2
$39.95
Tree Peony High NoonThis tree peony has very fragrant soft yellow flowers and is a rebloomer.
Japanese Tree Peony ’Kamatanishiki’
4-5’
#2
$39.95
Tree Peony KamatanishikiThis is an absolutely STUNNING tree Peony! This variety has double wisteria-blue flowers with lighter edges. A very unusual color!
NEW!Japanese Tree Peony Kaoukamon
4-5’
#2
$39.95
This tree peony has very dark, maroon flowers (almost a purple-black!) Very rare, the flowers are slightly smaller than the other tree peonies. VERY LIMITED!
Japanese Tree Peony ’Kinkaku’
4’
#2
$39.95
Tree Peony KinkakuThis tree peony has large DOUBLE orange/yellow flowers. Its hues are constantly changes like the colors of a sunset!
Japanese Tree Peony ’Kinshi’
4-5’
#2
$39.95
Tree Peony KinshiA GORGEOUS fully double, huge, golden yellow flowered tree peony.
Japanese Tree Peony ’Kokyryunishiki’
4-5’
#2
$39.95
Tree Peony KokyryunishikiThis tree peony has large semi-double reddish purple flowers with pink flames. An outstanding cut flower that doesn’t look real!
NEW!Tree Peony ‘Shimadaijin’
4-5’
#2
$39.95
This Japanese tree peony has HUGE double purple flowers…WOWZERS! Very Limited!
Japanese Tree Peony ’Shimanishiki’
4-5’
#2
$39.95
Tree Peony ShimanishikiAnother variety of Tree Peony, this one is a rare two-tone with large red and white double flowers.
The following varieties are Chinese Tree Peonies. The Japanese types above are grafted and rarer, whereas the Chinese types are non-grafted and faster growers. They are still AWESOME and GOTTA-HAVES, and will perform and astound equally well!
NEW!Chinese Tree Peony ‘Feng Dan Bai’
4’
#2
$29.95
Chinese Tree Peony ‘Feng Dan Bai’This translates as “Phoenix White”, and produces HUGE white lotus form flowers.
NEW!Chinese Tree Peony ‘Hu Hong’
4’
#2
$29.95
Chinese Tree Peony ‘Hu Hong’This crown form is rosy pinkish red and very full!
NEW!Chinese Tree Peony ‘Wu Long Peng Sheng’
4’
#2
$29.95
Chinese Tree Peony ‘Wu Long Peng Sheng’This translates as “Black Dragon Holding Blossom” and produces proliferate form purplish-red flowers that are so exquisite they don’t look real!
NEW!Chinese Tree Peony ‘Zhu Sha Lei’
4’
#2
$29.95
Chinese Tree Peony ‘Zhu Sha Lei’This translates as “Cinnabar Rampart” and produces lotus form flowers of silvery-pink. Ethereal and haunting!

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Contrary Mary’s Plants and Designs
2735 Route 52
Minooka, IL 60447
Ponds and Water Gardens
(815) 577-7800
Perennials, Shrubs, and Trees
(815) 521-9535