Peony 'Callies Memory'

9 years ago

This is the third year for this Peony in my garden, and it's breathtaking now in it's first heavy blooming. As the blooms age, they change color from white with pink edges to yellow.

I remove spent blooms almost immediately, and the plant forms new buds very quickly. Many of the buds forming now are what I would call incomplete. They look as if the majority of the pedals have been partially eaten, but I don't see any obvious cause? I'm curious to know if this phenomenon is a disease or caused by some kind of bug or animal.

I'm going to do a second post showing the defective flower. Anybody have ideas? - Thanks for your help, Bob

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Comments (4)

Imageman
Original Author
9 years ago
Defective blooms!
KarenPA_6b
9 years ago
The normal flower is very nice! The incomplete one looks really weird. I have not grown these to know what may cause such formations.
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comicalcanary
9 years ago
Interesting, I'd also be curious to know.
lizbest1
9 years ago
Could it be that the plant's root system isn't big enough to support the number of blooms it's put out this spring? I have seen buds like that on really small plants that try to put out more than 1 bud. Yours is a bigger plant but could the number of buds just be too great for it? Are all of the bad ones side blooms or on a less developed stem if it's one with no side blooms? If that could be the issue I'd cut those bad buds off, you'll get a better show from your fully developed buds without them there draining the plant's energy!
If you're leaning toward insects there are plenty of topical substances you can apply to make them less attractive to munchers, ask your local nursery for a suggestion that fits your area and gardening methods.
The first bloom you posted is absolutely beautiful by the way! I planted Callie's Memory last fall but it hasn't really grown, barely emerged from the ground. I'm away from home until next Sunday so I'm hoping to see stems at least when I get home!