Paeonia Itoh 'Bartzella'

For years the Holy Grail of serious gardeners, this Itoh Hybrid from master breeder Roger Anderson sold for more than $1,000 a division as late as 1999, but today is mercifully much more affordable! Yet no other Peony has surpassed it for beauty, fragrance, or sheer flower power, and we doubt any will. With blooms measuring 9 inches across, fully double and redolent of zesty lemon, this Peony would be remarkable even if it didn't have the vigor to produce more than 80 flowers a season on a single plant.

The flowers are simply magnificent, whorled like a rose but far longer-lasting and much larger. The outer layers are a creamy meringue, becoming more richly yellow toward the center, where hints of a red base (the "flares" characteristic of Tree Peonies) are visible as the bloom unfolds to its fullest extent. Absolutely superior to others as a cut-flower, they last for several weeks in the vase, their scent remaining as fresh and enticing as their petals. A single plant will perfume the garden and keep your vases full . . . but at this very special pricing, who would plant just one?

'Bartzella' is an intersectional or Itoh hybrid, a very special class of Peonies with parentage from both Tree and Herbaceous species. Blooming in between the Tree Peonies and their Herbaceous cousins, 'Bartzella' offers a range of superior traits: shrubby habit, fragrance, luscious bloom color and larger bloom size, excellent resistance to Peony Blight, tolerance of heat, humidity, cold, and poor soil, and extended bloom season.

This plant reaches about 3 feet high and wide in sun or light shade. It is untroubled by rabbits or deer, and is quite long-lived, blooming dependably for decades. Peonies are very slow to propagate (hence their high price) but are quite low maintenance once planted in the garden. They flower in late spring or early summer, and often need plant supports to hold up their bounty of huge blooms. Although most frequently used as a cutflower, they are a delightful garden presence as well, the flowers holding for weeks. Discover the joy of this old-fashioned flower with modern vigor, longevity, and bloom strength! And please reserve your 'Bartzella' early. At this price, it will not see out the season! Zones 3-8.

Space plants 3 ft apart in full sun or light shade, the latter being preferable in southernmost zones. The ideal soil is rich and moisture retentive, but well drained.

When planting, set the root clumps in the hole so that the “eyes” or growing points are covered with no more than 1-2 inches of soil. Do not plant too deeply or your peony will not prosper.

It is vital that these plants be kept well watered during their growing season. As peonies are heavy feeders, fertilize each spring with a high phosphorous fertilizer after growth has started. When cutting, remove as little foliage as possible, since the leaves are necessary for plant growth and vigor.

Remove spent flowers and, in the fall, cut back dead foliage. Established plants prefer not to be moved. In situations exposed to heavy winds, staking or a plant support hoop may be necessary.

Zones 3-8