Peony Registry

Seedling number RK15-28. Parentage unknown. First propagated 2021. Early-midseason blooming SEMI-DOUBLE flowers are a cream-orange blend, 19 cm (7.5″) in diameter, upward facing, and average one per stem. Flower presentation is excellent. Dark maroon flares with bleeding edges emanate from flower center and transcend approximately 30% of the total petal length. Guard petals are ruffled, frilled, notched, typically 5 cm (2”) in width, and widen at outer edges. The row of large guard petals is complemented by successive smaller rows of interior petals, creating an excellent layered display. No fragrance noted. On average, flowers possess five smooth, green carpels with coral-colored stigmas of normal anatomy. Stamens are between 1.25-2 cm (0.5-0.75”) in length, with light-coral colored filaments that transition to yellow at the tips. No pollen; seed fertility has not been noted. Sheath is complete, and coral in color. Plants reach about 91.5 cm (36″) at maturity, and carry narrow-pointed, strong blue-green foliage that is red upon emergence. Rather narrow leaflets (for a lutea hybrid) cloth stems heavily, and have an organized appearance throughout. Foliage lasts in good condition through the summer and much of autumn. Stem hardiness has proven to be better-than-average in the Northern Wisconsin climate compared to other lutea hybrids. Growth habit is low, broad, and mounded. Culture is easy. The cultivar was part of a group of select, numbered seedlings received from Song Sparrow Nursery in 2019 which were the product of Roy Klehm’s hybridizing program. Flowers exhibit a distinct and brilliant neon cast to the overall orange coloration. The coral-orange color throughout the flowers are complex and varied in their expression, exhibiting deeper tones at petal margins. The color might be described as “tropical”, and is a striking (or perhaps haunting), vivid orange when viewed from a distance – almost ghostly in appearance. Flowers open flat when displayed in a vase, and are impressive for their size and distinctive color variations. Received much attention at the APS Syracuse, New York flower show and received a certificate of merit as “Best Seedling” and thereafter forwarded to the Court of Honor. ‘Rosalind Elsie Franklin’ is likely present in the cultivar’s ancestry due to similar plant habit and floral traits.