Peony Planting

Late winter brought relentless rain and wind that created a chocolate-colored James River. In the midst of all that, a box of 12 heirloom Duchesse de Nemours peonies arrived, and I was looking forward to getting them into the Eleven Bed where we place the deer and rabbit résistent flowers. Last fall I planted part of Eleven with other varieties of peony including Shirley Temple, Sarah Bernhardt, Coral Charm, Coral Sunset, Apricot Whisper and an Itoa that is named Scarlet Heaven. I’m happy to report nearly all seem to have survived the winter sog.

And so, on Monday, I went out to plant . . . But I noticed the henbit deadnettle weed cover in the Eleven Bed was pretty dense, so I got out the hoe and the wagon and started to weed, carefully, carefully so not to disturb iris, poppy and allium already planted there.

 This is Thursday, and today, after three days of weeding, I finally planted the 12 new de Nemours. From the corner of my eye I noticed the post lady drove up to the front porch . . . She delivered dahlia roots !  Aaaahhh . . . Tomorrow is planned.

Coral Charm & Duchesse

Sarah Bernhardt Peony

Duchesse de Nemour

Coral Sunset

Coral Charm

Apricot Whisper

Scarlet Heaven

Shirley Temple Peony

Henbit Deadnettle Weed