Tree Peony 'Shimadaijin'

Remember when I bought this perennial last fall on clearance?  It has to be amazingly hardy because I (foolishly) never got around to planting it and it survived the winter (in its container) despite my careless actions. 

This spring more buds appeared than I expected (or deserved after treating it so abominably):

About five all together.  All of them shriveled up with the exception of the one pictured above.  Very slowly, it began to unfurl:

Am I ever happy I didn't lose it.  It's the first tree peony bloom to grace any of my gardens ~ a long time overdue, wouldn't you say?!

I hope it's not the last.  I certainly don't expect it to be ~ it's safely planted now and appears to be happy in its new location.

Planted in the same bed, which you can imagine pulls me like a magnet, is this GORGEOUS double pink variety of Columbine (Aquilegia):

This one is compliments of Catherine, who so generously shared seeds with me last year.  I think I broke one of the commandments (thou shalt not covet) when I saw it pictured on her blog.  It was definitely instantaneous lust, no other way around it.  It looked then, and even more now, like an old fashioned Granny's bonnet variety???   I cannot thank you enough Catherine ~ I'm beyond thrilled to have it blooming in my garden where I can look at it to my hearts content.  :-)

In a different bed, another columbine is beginning to open that confuses me.  I thought these were 'Black Barlow' seeds that I started last summer but now it sure doesn't look like it:

I might be happier that it's not?  I'm learning I prefer the "pleated" look versus the "frilly" look of the 'Barlows.'  There are other buds waiting to open so it will be interesting to see if they're the same when they bloom.

We're still "enjoying" rainy cool weather these first two days of the Memorial Day holiday.  Tomorrow is supposed to start a sunnier, warmer, drying trend.  Now there's something else to get excited about!

 

Comments

[tina]

Just beautiful.

[Grace]

I hope you get that warmer, drier weather you've been promised. We're still waiting for it here too. Gorgeous peony and columbine. That Catherine is so generous, isn't she? :)

[Catherine]

Yeah! I'm so glad to see it blooming in your garden! I was hoping it would come true from seed. I've got them blooming right now in my garden too.
I love the tree peony. I've tried before without luck. I've read it can take many years for them to bloom so you must have a really good one.

[Victoria]

Gorgeous color on your peony. Our tree peony is pink, but I'm lusting for that dark rose color now.
Great looking columbine! Seeds someday??????

[Dana]

WOW!!! I love the Tree Peony flower Kathleen - it's gorgeous. I went shopping today to try to find another Tree Peony, but no luck. I really want a second one. Love the Columbine too!

[Kala]

Your peony blossom is absolutely gorgeous Kathleen.

It has rained all weekend here so far. At least everything is green.

[Racquel]

Gorgeous Tree Peony, I really need one for my garden. :)

[PlantPostings]

The Tree Peony is lovely, but the double-pink Columbine is luscious! I can see why you would covet it on a friend's blog. I've never seen one like that before. Wow! And your photos bring out the best in every bloom!

[Donna]

A very pretty tree peony. I have a client that collects them and they all do well, but I hear that are a bit fussy. Looks like your Columbine are really very happy. Pretty pink double.

[Sweetbay]

Oh, how beautiful! I love the color of the peony. The columbine are lovely too!

You asked about the Purple Milkweed seed; as I recall the seed germinated readily. I'll let you know when they are ripe.

[Janet, The Queen of Seaford]

I am so glad you didn't kill that gorgeous tree peony! I bypassed some at Costco of all places---next year if they have them I am buying!
Yes, I could lust after that Columbine from Catherine. Beautiful indeed.

[max]

Truly amazing flowers and great shots too. Thanks for sharing.