So--Are Intersectional Peonies Really An Improvement Over Existing Forms? 

The blooms on most intersectionals are held nicely above the foliage and add vibrant new colors to the peony spectrum, particularly for those of us in climates where tree peonies do not easily grow.  This includes golden yellow, lavender/violet, and multi-colored varieties that are rarely seen in regular herbaceous or lactiflora types.  In addition, the beautiful lobed foliage on intersectional peonies remains green and attractive through early fall.  Another nice feature of this group is that they often have more than one bud per stem, so the bloom season can be as long as five weeks as the buds open successively.  Finally, intersectional peonies are much more reliable in Montana than tree peonies because the plant becomes completely dormant in the winter months; therefore, the buds and stems are far less susceptible to winter damage than those on a tree peony.

However, in some cases new doesn’t always mean distinctly better.  The earliest forms of intersectionals were fairly unrefined compared to varieties being introduced now.  For example, Yellow Crown, also known as Hidden Treasure, hides its bloom down in the foliage.  Therefore, its value as a landscape plant is extremely minimal.  Other varieties that I have grown, while attractive, certainly don’t exceed the beauty of less expensive herbaceous peonies that are commonly available.

Noteworthy Varieties

There are several intersectionals that are notably exceptional and absolutely well worth your investment.  Some of these are Bartzella, Garden Treasure, First Arrival, Joanna Marlene, Kopper Kettle, Hillary, and Canary Brilliants.  All have characteristics that make them “must have” peonies and well deserving of showcase status in your flowerbed.

Caring for Intersectional Peonies

Intersectional peonies are vigorous and rapid growers, much more so than tree peonies and often more so than herbaceous or lactiflora types.  Within a few years, a good-sized root division will produce several blooms and in three to four years may become the highlight of your garden.  These peonies require the same care as any other (see care discussion in FAQ) and will thrive with good drainage and in full sun.

Propagation of Intersectionals

Dividing any peony is not easy.  Dividing an intersectional is even more of a challenge because of its woody root.  Division definitely requires a handsaw or a small electric saw.  Usually a heavy knife is not adequate for the task.  In my earliest attempts to divide an Itoh with a knife, my fingers were always at peril.  Also, as with any peony, it is easier to divide a younger plant (less than four years old).  However, herein lies the dilemma.  Most peonies don’t begin to develop into their fullest glory until they are at least several years old.  Therefore, unless one propagates and sells peonies, it is often counterproductive to divide your plant.  In addition, while older intersectionals produce larger roots with more eyes, they often do not yield significantly larger numbers of divisions.  In any event, division of intersectionals requires much preplanning and close examination of the root in relationship to the eyes to make sure that when the cut is made, you end up with a viable plant. 

Tissue-Cultured Intersectionals

Tissue-cultured plants represent a tradeoff between a lower price for what has up until recently been a very expensive investment and the chance that your plant will not quite be what you expected it to be.

Despite claims to the otherwise, tissue-cultured plants are not always exact copies of their parent.  So be cautioned that the blooms or other characteristics on these plants may not be identical to those of the original parent and in some case will be inferior replicas.  For the average gardener who will likely be unfamiliar with the appearance of the original, this may not matter and a fair approximation will be good enough. 

Additionally, you need to be aware that tissue-cultured peonies commonly sold are often much smaller than those from root divisions and will take longer to produce blooming plants, at least one year and sometimes two.

Why Buy a Private Stock Intersectional Peony 

All of my peonies have been propagated by root division from the original cross and have been purchased from specialty nurseries that take great pride in selling the genuine version.  In the case of Garden Treasure, my starts come from Hollingsworth Nursery, which bred this beautiful variety. 

Any plant you receive from me will be a large root division with numerous eyes, will come directly from my own stock, and will be fairly priced.  These plants are guaranteed to be true to form and absolutely as fresh from the field as they can possibly be.  You will not be disappointed! 

Orienpets are some of the showiest and most fragrant of the most recent lily hybrids.  A cross between a trumpet lily and an oriental, Orienpets appear to be more hardy and adaptable than either parent.  For those of you who have grown Stargazer or Casa Blanca lilies in Montana with disappointing results, the Orienpets offer hope that you can grow big fragrant lilies that will reliably return year after year.  Neither trumpet or oriental lilies thrive in Montana gardens because they usually do not have time in the Fall to build up an adequate reserve for next year’s blooms.  Oftentimes, they will dwindle in size over the course of a few years until they die out completely. 

Because of their increased vigor, Orienpets, particularly those bred in Canada or the northern United States, seem to retain their staying power and become more of a true perennial here.  That said, because of their parentage, Orienpets will never be as absolutely hardy as Asiatics, which represent the gold standard for cold tolerance and reliability.  However, I have grown and field-tested numerous of these beautiful new lilies for several years and have found that many increase in size over time and even slowly reproduce.

What an Orienpet Isn’t

A few companies market Orienpets as tree lilies, so called because they have the potential to grow up to 6 feet tall with very thick woody stems.  However, like all other temperate zone lilies, Orienpets become completely dormant every fall with no live top growth remaining.  It also should be noted that many Orienpet lilies will often not grow as tall in Montana as they might in milder climates such as the Northwest.

Planting and Growing Tips

• All lilies like a lot of sun and a well-drained soil.  Be sure to mix in plenty of high-grade compost with your lilies when you plant them.  And try to avoid planting them in extremely heavy soils that are slow to drain.
• Fertilize your lilies in the spring with a slow release fertilizer such as Osmocote.  Also, because much of our soil east of the Divide is somewhat alkaline, you may need to supplement with an amendment containing iron and sulfur.
• Lilies do not require daily watering, but when watering be sure to water deeply enough to reach the bulb’s roots.  Avoid wetting the leaves if possible.  Excessive watering may cause your bulb to rot.
• Orienpets should be planted as a bare bulb in the spring only or as well-rooted pot plants up to about the 1^st of September.  They should not be planted as a bulb in the fall because they will not have time to adequately reestablish their root system.
• After Orienpets finish blooming, which will be around the 3^rd week of August, be sure to immediately cut off the seed heads to allow the plant to fully place its energy production on building up the bulb for the next season.  However, leave as much green foliage as possible until the plant yellows and becomes dormant in the fall.
• Mulch your Orienpet in late fall after the ground freezes hard with loose straw or wood chips up to 6 or 8 inches in depth.  This will help ensure that your plant will come back and bloom beautifully the next year.

Proven Performers in Helena, Montana

I have grown all of the following locally for at least five consecutive years, and each variety has reached its listed catalog height and continues to add bud count as the plant matures.  In addition, all have shown the ability to reproduce, albeit somewhat slowly increasing in numbers.  I am particularly fond of Conca D’Or and Northern Carillon, both of which frequently appear as favorites in the North American Lily Society Popularity poll.

• Conca D’ Or
• Northern Carillon
• Easter Morn
• American Spirit
• Leslie Woodriff
• Scheherazade

Why Buy a Private Stock Orienpet Lily?

I sell only potted plants that have been extremely well rooted in under field conditions.  Because these lilies are not greenhouse grown, they are hardened off thoroughly and will bloom this year in sync with their natural growing season.  All of my plants are thoroughly checked for (viral vectors) aphids and botrytis, which are controlled organically  Any variety I sell has been or is currently being tested outdoors in my test plots to determine its reliability in Montana.

I guarantee that the plants you buy from Private Stock Perennials will be full of vigor and primed to reach their potential this year and for many years to come.

Growing Great Hosta

Hostas are extremely popular, hardy perennials grown primarily for the gorgeous foliage.  They are easy-to-grow shade-loving plants and are quite adaptable to a wide range of soils.

Plant Size and Shape 

Hosta generally reach full maturity in 2 to 5 years, and growth rates vary widely depending on type.  Often the very large varieties are slower growers than their smaller relatives, but make spectacular specimens when fully mature.  Conversely, the miniatures grow to only a few inches tall and may be best adapted to rock garden situations.

Leaf Color and Texture

Hosta leaves may be a solid color in blue, green, gold, or yellow shades.  The blue-leafed hosta is actually a green leaf coated with a wax that makes it appear blue.  The wax tends to melt following intense sun exposure, so blue hosta are best adapted to deeper shade where there is little or no direct sunlight.  Variegated leaves may include a combination of lighter and darker shades of color in the leaf.  "Medio-variegated" leaves show a light color in the center of the leaf, which may be white, gold, yellow, or light green.  "Marginally variegated" leaves show a light color on the edge of the leaf.  Leaves that are thick and stiff are termed "rugose" or said to have a "heavy substance."  Such leaves are considered to be more slug resistant.

Flowers

All hosta bloom in summer with spikes of small lavender to white lily-like flowers.  A few varieties, particularly some of the more recent introductions, may have fairly showy flowers. 

Shade/Sun Requirements

Hosta are definitely shade tolerant plants and grow best in an exposure with a few hours of morning sun and afternoon shade or in a dappled sun/shade environment.  Some cultivars will tolerate some afternoon sun, although plants grown in full afternoon sun will show signs of marginal burning on leaf tips.  In general, blue-leafed hostas prefer more shade while gold, yellow, and white-leafed hosta will tolerate more sun. 

Soil Preparation

Hosta grow best in rich organic soil.  A loamy soil type may not need the addition of organic matter, but few of us are so lucky as to garden in ideal soil and will need to add organic amendments.  The recommended soil is well drained, has a slightly acid pH, and is enriched both with nutrients and organic matter.

When making a new hosta bed, cultivate to the depth of about one foot.  Apply 6 inches of organic matter and till it into the bed.  Materials such as compost, leaf mold, well-rotted compost, peat moss, and municipal sludge products such as Milorganite may be used. 

The planting hole should be dug about a foot deep and the width of the hole should be one and a half times the expected mature size of the clump.  Most hosta roots will grow and spread horizontally, so a large, wide hole is best.

Fertilizer

A balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 can be applied in spring just after the foliage emerges and again in July.  I also prefer organic sources simply because they release nutrients slowly and improve soil tilth as well.  Do not fertilize plants after early July because they need to harden off their new growth before fall freezes.  Hosta definitely like to be consistently fed to attain optimal growth.

Water

Water is very important for optimal growth.  During the growing season, hosta prefer a soil that remains evenly moist but is not, of course, waterlogged. A deep watering is best, after which the soil is allowed to dry somewhat--but should never become bone dry.  While hosta may sometimes be touted as drought tolerant, they in fact are absolutely not and their growth may be checked for an entire season if they are allowed to completely dry out for any extended amount of time.

Hosta Pests

Slugs and snails are the most common pest affecting hosta.  They eat small round holes in the leaves.  Look for silvery slime trails in garden beds to determine whether slugs are present.  Thin-leafed hosta and those with leaves growing close to the ground are most susceptible to slug injury.  Because Montana generally has a low humidity and limited amounts of rainfall during summertime, hosta are not a major issue here.  Clean cultivation around plants is often enough to keep slugs at bay in this region.

Deer can eat all of your hosta in one evening.  Ten-foot fences are the only reliable method for controlling deer predation.  Gardeners may also use commericial deer repellants, which provide mixed results.

Hosta Virus

Hosta can suffer from viral infections.  Other than odd stipling on leaves, the only other indication that your hosta may be suffering from viral infection is that they simply lose their vigor and don't thrive no matter where they are placed in your garden.  It is always best to buy your hosta starts from nurseries that sell virus-indexed plants that are certified free of disease.

Top Performers in Montana

There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of hosta varieties, and new introductions coming out all the time--so I certainly have not grown or tested most of them.  However, the following have always performed very well for me here in Montana:

1. Sum and Substance
2. Blue Angel
3. Gold Standard
4. Golden Tiara
5. Halcyon
6. June
7. Francee
8. Patriot
9. Regal Splendor
10. Frances Williams
11. Wide Brim
12. Royal Standard