Particular Peonies: Paeonia mlokosewitschii

Posted:24 May 2010

This excerpt from the late Geoffrey Smiths Easy Plants for Difficult Places (David & Charles 1967) is featured in Garden Wisdom by Leslie Geddes-Brown, a wonderful compilation of writings by many of Britains best admired and loved garden professionals:

“Of all this beautiful genus, Paeonia mlokosewitschii is my particular favourite.  Not only is it the first to flower in this garden, but from the glaucous-green leaves to the primrose-yellow flowers, 5-6″ across, it is a breathtaking sight when in full bloom.  Compared to the species already described this is a dwarf, only 15-18” high.  The flowers appear in May, rather than later in other more sheltered gardens. Propagation, as with other species, is by seed.  A word of warning when sowing seed of any peony, make certain the mice cannot gain access to them or nothing will be left but empty husks.”

Geoffrey Smith (1928-2009)