Paeonia x Itoh 'Singing in the Rain'

Sizes available: 3 gallon

Basics: zones 4-9, 36 x 36-48", full sun to part shade, fragrant, apricot-colored blooms that fade to a creamy yellow with age in late spring to early summer, likes moist, well-drained soil with moderate fertility

Common names: Intersectional peony (a cross between a tree peony and an herbaceous peony)

Family: Paeoniaceae

Origin/Distribution: Named for Toichi Itoh who made the first successful cross between an herbaceous peony and a tree peony in the 1940's, ITOH peonies combine strengths from both growth forms.

More: The Itoh crosses die back almost to the ground in winter (like their herbaceous peony parent). However, they retain a small amount of woody stem above ground from which new shoots will appear next spring, so be mindful of cutting back too hard if you are a tidy gardener. Intersectional peonies have exceptionally large, beautiful flowers like their tree peony parent. "Tree" peonies are deciduous shrubs and retain a woody structure in dormancy unlike herbaceous peonies which form new shoots underground. These crosses have a longer bloom time than the herbaceous peony, stronger more upright stems, a wider range of bloom color, and larger flowers.

The peony has been cultivated in China since the 7th century and was introduced in England in the mid-eighteenth century. The American Peony Society recognizes over 8000 named cultivars. Humans have a long and rich history with this plant. As well as their ornamental value, they have culinary and medicinal attributes.

Nursery: Van Berkum

Image credits: Van Berkum Nursery