Lacks vigor, needs a hot spot (like a fully exposed south-facing wall) in cool climates. Early, scented flowers are unique for being white or pink - otherwise a forsythia would make a much more willing and productive specimen in many situations. I have one placed to flower behind winter heaths in Island County, WA. Lives but does not prosper in the partly shaded planting site and cool climate.

It's very important to think long and hard before selecting a planting site for tree peonies. As I once learned too late, they greatly resent being transplanted after they've settled in and have developed a good root system. Morevover, they are exceeding long-lived plants, so the location you select should be satisfactory for you and the plant for as long as you tend your garden. My personal preference is to showcase them in a location where they can be viewed from more than one side, and where the roots are as free as possible from competition with other plants. Unless growing techniques have changed during the last few years, the most beautiful hybrid tree peonies are grafted onto rootstocks that are much sturdier than those they produce on their own. I would assume that any seedlings produced by a grafted plant would not be as vigorous as the parent. They're wonderful plants and well worth having even tho the bloom season comes and goes pretty quickly. I hope you decide to add them to your garden . . .

You're welcome. I didn't grow the lupine from seed, but bought two bareroot plants at the Seattle flower and garden show last year. One of them didn't survive the winter. I think it's a specific color of Russell's but I'm not sure. I also think Germania might have the individual flower color seeds, but once again, I'm not sure. I don't remember whether there was a photo on the package, but I've seen photos of it before, somewhere. Jeanne

I do have Jardins de Bagatelle and its AAAAMAZING! I'm even surprised to say that because I don't like white roses. White roses here bloom already crispy. Sometimes they don't even open. But this particular rose is perfect, pure white, and it seems to be unaffected by the summer heat. I planted this rose next to the pool and it gets morning and afternoon sun.. And no matter how hot it is, the petals don’t burn and it lasts for DAYS. The flower is almost the size of my 6 years old daughter's head. I’m not kidding. They don’t droop and the canes are super strong. It smells out of this world. My Jardins De Bagatelle is a 3 years old bush. Its not a huge plant yet, but I have already started to see a difference in the size of this plant since the beginning of May