Sara Bernhardt and Festiva

Yeh they are supposed to get "zapped by the frost". They are herbaceous perrenials which means they die back to the ground every winter. That is when you should clear out the dead growth to the ground (don't rip them out just cut them or smthg). The next year they'll come back from the dirt like a bulb would (usually during the middle of spring).

RE: Sara Bernhardt and Festiva

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Posted by gnabonnand z7b North Texas (My Page) on
Sat, Mar 31, 07 at 16:10

Natalie, I'm on the line between 8a & 7b, and my 'Festiva Maxima' has large buds on it preparing to open. It took three years for this to happen, so be patient. Although no blooms during the first two years, the plant and its foliage were very nice. This year I'm actually getting blooms!

FYI, all the other varieties of peonies I've tried here have died. Therefore, it appears 'Festiva Maxima' is a good one for the south.

Randy

RE: Sara Bernhardt and Festiva

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Posted by natalie4b 8-GA (My Page) on
Sat, Mar 31, 07 at 17:57

Thanks Randy. They both are doing well - having some greenery. I bought them as bare root I think: just a stump with some roots in plastic, not a container. Wow, they sure take a while to flower - few years. Talking about training in patience...
I will appreciate more the ones in my local nursery now, which are ready to bloom. It took growers few years of waiting to put them up for sale. Peonies are such gorgeous flowers!

RE: Sara Bernhardt and Festiva

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Posted by pacnwgrdngirl z8 WA (My Page) on
Wed, Apr 4, 07 at 12:15

Hi Natalie-
I'm in your zone, but way up north. I have three Sara's and they are gorgeous! (Just try and be patient, bare root takes a couple of seasons, I know it's hard.) I have a Sorbet that I bought two years ago bare root, it has blooms on it! Yeah! I also have a mystery peony that I bought at our local nursery. I saved it from the clearance table and I have no idea what it is, it has blooms too. Can't wait to see what it is.

RE: Sara Bernhardt and Festiva

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Posted by nmrbwt98 8 TX (My Page) on
Fri, Aug 17, 07 at 16:30

I was told by someone at a nursery that if you pour a bag of ice on peonies at Thanksgiving, Chirstmas and Valentine's Day you will get better flower production because the ice will simulate the cold weather they need. I forgot to do it last year and so far I have a nice looking plant but no flowers. I hope to remember this winter.

RE: Sara Bernhardt and Festiva

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Posted by natalie4b 8-GA (My Page) on
Sat, Aug 18, 07 at 17:03

Interesting! I will give it a try. Thanks Nmrbw98.

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