Peonies

Peony ‘Raspberry Sunday ’ A Contrary Mary Top 10 Pick!

Contrary Mary's is excited to offer the following selection of fabulous peonies. AND - very exciting news - our COMPLETE SELECTION of herbaceous peonies (and hostas!) is now available for mail order as bare root plants! Visit our online store for details!

We offer 80+ 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 burgundy 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 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.

Herbaceous Peonies
Plant Name	Size	Container	Price
‘Abalone Pearl’	26”	#2	$19.95
A 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
A 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
This peony is fully double, creamy pink with delicate silver hues, and blooms late season.
‘Baroness Schroeder’	36”	#2	$21.95
This beautiful mid to late double flowered peony has very large white flowers with a pink blush that turn pure white. Has a terrific rose scent, great foliage, and is a fabulous cut flower! Available fall 2010.
‘Bartzella’	30-36”	#2	$75.00
This multiple award winning Intersectional Peony will make your eyes pop right outa your head! She boasts semi-double clear YELLOW, VERY fragrant flowers that make incredible long-lasting cut flowers. Winner of the 2006 APS Gold Medal and the 2009 Award of Landscape Merit, she is probably the BEST growing yellow now available! My stock won’t last long, so don’t delay! Available in VERY LIMITED quantities starting fall 2010.
‘Belle Center’	28”	#2	$19.95
A semi-double early season bloomer with deep, mahogany red large petaled flowers and yellow stamens.
‘Betty Warner’	36”	#2	$19.95
A 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
This Japanese type is one of my favorites, soft and creamy with pale yellow centers in mid-season.
‘Burma Ruby’	28”	#2	$27.95
This SHOCKING red single peony has yellow stamens, is an early bloomer, and was a winner of the American Peony Society Golden Medal and a recipient of the 2009 Award of Landscape Merit! Both these awards mean that it is outstanding as a landscape peony, is disease resistant, stands up to bad weather, and is a great cut flower (very strong stems and doesn’t flop)! A true Contrary ‘gotta-have”! Available fall 2010 and WILL sell out early! A Contrary Mary Top 10 pick!
‘Carol’	28”	#2	$22.95
This TRUE red double is an early bloomer with VERY sturdy stems (no flopping here!); excellent for cut flowers and GLOWS in the landscape! Available fall 2010.
‘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
This 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
A bomb type with pure white guard petals that have a twisted golden center. Early bloomer.
‘Circus Circus’	28”	#2	$21.95
A 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	$24.95
A 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 Fay’	30”	#2	$23.95
This semi-double is rose red with coral overtones; very unusual combination! Blooms early and has very attractive foliage all season long!
‘Coral Sunset’	28”	#2	$26.95
A 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 an 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
This 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
(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
Now 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
A Japanese form with white blooms with red, showy stigmas. It is a mid-season bloomer.
‘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!
‘Dayton’	20”	#2	$22.95
This double flowered peony has HUGE (7”!!!) cerise-rose FRAGRANT showy blooms late in the peony season. VERY sturdy and compact! Available fall 2010.
‘Do Tell’	32”	#2	$22.95
This 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!
‘Double White’	24-30”	#2	$19.95
A great mixed selection of doubles in white shades.
‘Early Scout’	21”	#2	$21.95
This American Peony Society Gold Medal winner boasts MASSES amounts of single BRIGHT red flowers early season. GORGEOUS cut leaf foliage makes this one a show-stopper all season long! Available fall 2010.
‘Ellen Cowley’	32”	#2	$22.95
This early to mid bloomer has semi-double bright pink (or light red if a cool spring) flowers. Produces COPIOUS amounts of flowers, and won the American Peony Society award of Landscape Merit (which means she is an awesome garden plant!) Available fall 2010.
‘Eskimo Pie’	22” ht	#2	$22.95
This is a double, very full pure white peony with red stigmas…looks good enough to eat! An EXCELLENT landscape plant with a compact growth habit; mid bloomer. Available fall 2009.
‘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	$21.95
This 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
Doesn’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!
‘Gay Paree’	30”	#2	$19.95
This Japanese type mid-bloomer has cerise pink guards and shell pink centers. Very strong stems make it great for cut flowers!
‘Gardenia’	34”	#2	$19.95
This double flower form has very large, full white flowers in late season.
‘Goldmine’	30”	#1	$70.00
This RARE creature (also known as ‘Golden Wheels’ or ‘Haung Jin Lun’) has 6” fragrant double light YELLOW flowers mid-season. This is the first true lactiflora-type yellow peony! A true collector’s plant that has to be seen to be believed! Somewhat smaller than our other divisions and EXTREMELY LIMITED!
‘Golly’	34”	#2	$19.95
This double form has apple-blossom pink guards and center with a circle of gold staminodes. A mid bloomer.
‘Green Halo’	30”	#2	$24.95
A very unusual early-mid season bloomer with semi-double flowers that have white petals arising from a light green petal base. COOL!
‘Green Lotus’	28” ht	#2	$24.95
This is one UNUSUAL peony with single, cactus-flower dahlia type 4-5” blooms that are white with lime-green streaking and tinges of soft pink…a real collector’s plant! VERY floriferous and an early bloomer.
‘Hermione’	36”	#2	$19.95
A 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
A bomb type that has an outstanding and unusual combination of soft white and honey-gold. Fragrant and an awesome cut flower; blooms mid season.
‘Honey N’ Cream’	32”	#2	$21.95
This Japanese form mid-bloomer has a double row of frothy guards and honey yellow stamens…very fragrant and strong stems (awesome cut flowers!).
‘Horizon’	32”	#2	$19.95
This single form, early bloomer has pale, flesh-pink guards with a large gold center….distinctive!
‘Hot Chocolate’	36”	#2	$24.95
This is another very unique peony with Japanese type flowers that have chocolate red guard petals and cocoa colored stamens that are lightly edged in gold…mmm! An early bloomer and available fall 2009.
‘Illini Warrior’	32”	#2	$19.95
A single form with blood-red flowers and yellow stamens. EXTREMELY floriferous, blooms early.
‘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!
‘Jester’	24”	#2	$21.95
This happy-go-lucky guy has unique-shaped flowers that are white with raspberry streaking in mid to late season; fun and funky and VERY unusual! Available fall 2010.
‘Karen Gray’	26” ht	#2	$19.95
This EXCELLENT landscape peony is Japanese form with fuchsia blooms that have spiky yellow center. Mid-season bloomer.
‘Lancaster Imp’	26”	#2	$19.95
A 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
This double form has lavender pink, large full blooms that are fragrant and bloom late. Very vigorous foliage!
‘Lights Out’	36”	#2	$19.95
Another 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
As 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 Medicine Man’	24”	#2	$21.95
This single flowered little guy has mid-pink blooms with yellow stamens and GREAT foliage! VERY floriferous and holds up great in the landscape!
‘Little Red Gem’	20”	#2	$22.95
Another wee little wonder with single red blooms and filigreed foliage. Early bloomer,
‘Lord Cavin’	30”	#2	$19.95
This mid-bloomer has double white flowers that have striping and flushing of pink on the edges…lovely!
‘Love’s Touch’	26”	#2	$21.95
A semi-double to double with shell pink flowers blooming mid-to-late season.
‘Magenta Moon’	28” ht	#2	$22.95
This semi-double has INTENSE magenta very fragrant flowers that GLOW! An excellent cut flower and landscape peony, it’s an early season and will be available in Fall 2009.
‘Many Happy Returns’	34”	#2	$27.95
This bomb-type has OUTSTANDING double red flowers in mid-season! Awarded both the 2007 APS Gold Medal and the APS Award of Landscape Merit, ya just KNOW it’s another “gotta-have”! Available fall 2010. A Contrary Mary Top 10 pick!
‘Margaret Clark’	34”	#2	$21.95
A double form with fuchsia pink very dense, full flowers in late season.
‘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.
‘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?!)
‘Moon River’	28”	#2	$21.95
A double form with creamy marshmallow-white flowers that have a pink blush.yum! Blooms mid season.
‘My Petite Cherie’	20-22”	#2	$21.95
Ooh La, La! This dainty doll is soft pink with semi-double flowers that are fragrant. Blooms mid-season;
‘Nancy Nichols’	36” ht	#2	$21.95
This astonishing peony has blushing cream pink flowers that age to a rosy pale pink; produces MASSES of very fragrant flowers mid-season; available fall 2009.
‘Nellie Saylor’	36”	#2	$26.95
This Japanese type peony has wine-red guards with a creamy yellow and pink tufted center; STUNNING combination! Fragrant flowers and sturdy stems make this a great cut and landscape peony; mi to late bloomer. Available fall 2010.
‘Nick Shaylor’	34”	#2	$21.95
A 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.
‘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
This double form has light pink blooms with silver overtones; blooms mid season.
‘Paree Fru Fru’	26” ht	#2	$22.95
GREAT name for a very distinctive peony with bomb type flowers that are dark pink tufts that burst out from butter yellow centers—fragrant and incredible! Available fall 2009. A Contrary Mary Top 10 pick!
‘Pastel Sunrise’	26”	#2	$19.95
This Japanese type has soft sunrise pink petals and a pale yellow center. Very fragrant, and a mid-bloomer.
‘Paula Fay’	35”	#2	$19.95
This semi-double type has deep shocking pink wavy-textured blooms in early season and a great growth habit.
‘Peppermint Twist’	30”	#2	$19.95
This 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
This semi-double to double form has very large 6” blooms of magenta pink with yellow stamens. A mid-bloomer and a hot new color!
‘Petticoat Flounce’	24” ht	#2	$21.95
This pretty perky posy has soft pink bomb type flowers with creamy white at the base and at each center. AWESOME cut flower, early season bloomer and a great landscape peony; available fall 2009.
‘Pink Hawaiian Coral’	36”	#2	$26.95
A 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. A Contrary Mary Top 10 pick!
‘Pink Parfait’	36”	#2	$19.95
This double rose-type has fragrant blooms of a rich, dark pink in late season.
‘Philippe Rivoire’	30”	#2	$22.95
This double mid-to-late season bloomer from France is one of the MOST FRAGRANT peonies available! He has deep red double flowers that REALLY stand out in the garden; obviously makes a great cut flower too! Not available until fall 2010 and sure to dance outa here fast!
‘Plainsman’	38”	#2	$19.95
This mid-blooming Japanese type has light flesh pink to white blossoms with unusual creamy stamens. Very heavy bloomer!
‘Port Royale’	28”	#2	$19.95
A Japanese type with deep wine red petals that have a spiky red center. Great fragrance and a mid-bloomer!
‘Prairie Charm’	32”	#2	$65.00
This is an Intersectional Peony, which means it’s a cross between an herbaceous and tree peony (also called an ITOH hybrid). It’s more like its herbaceous parent in that it is easier (less picky about growing conditions) and quicker to bloom, but the flowers are every bit as stunning as its tree peony parent! This one has semi-double clear YELLOW flowers with a red flare; blooms mid-to-late season. Was the recipient of APS Award of Landscape Merit for its outstanding garden performance; VERY limited!!! A Contrary Mary Top 10 pick!
‘Primavere’	34”	#2	$21.95
This Japanese type has creamy outer petals and a large yellow center. .a rare color for peonies! Blooms mid-season.
‘Raspberry Charm’	32”	#2	$22.95
A semi-double with the form and growth habit of ‘Coral Charm’ but with raspberry colored flowers! Early bloomer.
‘Raspberry Clown’	34”	#2	$22.95
As you probably know, I’m a sucker for big fluffy peonies, and this one is surely a Contrary fave!!! It’s a semi-double soft pink with intense raspberry streaking and blotching; fragrant and unusual! A mid-bloomer and not available until fall 2010.
‘Raspberry Sundae’	27”	#2	$22.95
This bomb-type blooms in mid-season and has yummy blush pink and raspberry topping on petals of white. Fragrant and great for cuts!
‘Ray Payton’	32”	#2	$19.95
This mid-blooming Japanese form has striking cranberry red petals and stamens that are brushed with yellow.
‘Rooster Reveille’	28”	#2	$22.95
A semi-double form in the cactus/dahlia style with shaggy twisted petals of white with red candy streaking. Fragrant, and blooms mid-to-late.
‘Santa Fe’	30”	#2	$21.95
This early to mid Japanese form has a blush white center with mauve pink guards; strong stems (no flopping!) and a great cut flower!
‘Sarah Bernhardt’	36”	#2	$19.95
A classic double with salmon pink flowers that have red flecking. Very fragrant and floriferous, and a great cut flower. Blooms late.
‘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
A Japanese type with fuchsia red blooms that have a pink-cream center with a sprinkle of fuchsia. Very fragrant and mid-bloomer..
‘Springfield’	30”	#2	$21.95
This double flowered form produces apple blossom pink flowers with deep pink hearts; fragrant and mid to late bloomer. Available fall 2010.
‘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
A 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.
‘The Fawn’	34” ht	#2	$26.95
This RARE creature has double blooms of parchment pink with rose colored flecks; marvelous landscape peony, mid-season blooms, and in VERY LIMITED quantities!
‘Thumbelina’	15” ht	#2	$21.95
This rock garden peony is an early and very heavy bloomer, with rosy pink single flowers that have yellow stamens. Also has magnificent  lacy cut-leaf foliage!
‘Tomcat’	26”	#2	$22.95
This mid-bloomer has Japanese form bright carmine red guards with bomb shaped cream and red protruding centers; magnificent! Fragrant too!
‘Violet Dawson’	32”	#2	$19.95
A great Japanese type with pure white flowers with bright gold centers. Blooms mid-season.
‘Ursa Major’	34”	#2	$24.95
This Japanese form peony has carmine red blossoms with cream aging to white centers. Fragrant and has beautiful deep green foliage. Available fall 2010.
‘Vixen’	26”	#2	$21.95
A foxy Japanese type with deep pink guards and a brilliant yellow fluffy center. A mid-bloomer.
‘West Elkton’	25”	#2	$19.95
A great Japanese type with deep burgundy flowers with golden tipped centers. Blooms mid-season.
‘Yardmaster’	26”	#2	$21.95
This Japanese type is a soft creamy pink with a wide gold center and blooms mid-season.
‘Yellow Crown’	36”	#2	$50.00
A VERY RARE, VERY LIMITED yellow peony!!! It has double, golden yellow flowers that bloom mid-season. Don’t wait!!!

Tree Peonies
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
This tree peony has large DOUBLE orange/yellow flowers. Its hues constantly change like the colors of a sunset!
Japanese Tree Peony ‘Kokyryunishiki’	4-5’	#2	$39.95
This tree peony has large semi-double reddish purple flowers with pink flames. An outstanding cut flower that doesn’t look real!
Japanese 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
Another variety of Tree Peony, this one is a rare two-tone with large red and white double flowers.