skip to main content

Name That Plant!

Red stems, red leaves, no flowers yet...

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

(from Lytton, BC, Canada -- zone 7)

This perennial is growing under a juniper tree and has never flowered in the 3 years I've lived here, although it looks like it wants to. Any ideas?

Featured Answer

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada

9 years ago

Yes a Peony, possibly planted too deep, the buds/eyes should be no deeper than an inch below the ground. They like a full sun/part sun location and well drained soil. On the other hand some peonies are stubborn bloomers like my "Sam Donaldson" I've did everything right as far as I know in planting it but it refuses to bloom.
Last fall I dug it, left it lying there on top of the ground all winter through wind and rain and even a couple of freezes hoping the shock might give it a jolt. As of yesterday mine looks like yours, lots of fresh new growth but didn't see any flower buds starting. I dug a shallow hole popped it back in with a smidgen of soil over the roots, we'll see what happens. If that didn't do the trick it's heading for the green bin.
Annette

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

thedecoguy
9 years ago
Peony.
Related Discussions
Mystery red flowering plant with tall stem
Q
Comments (5)
Thanks! I wonder where it came from, since I didn't plant it....My entire front garden was nothing but lawn before my husband and I dug it up and now we've got things growing that I didn't plant. Keeps life interesting!
...See More
Thorns on stem, ridged leaves, new leaves have red edges.
Q
Comments (1)
Rubus, Blackberry, Raspberry etc.
...See More
Dark red leaves with fluted red flowers--what is it?
Q
Comments (5)
It looks like Columnea to me too. Be glad you have all those green leaves! That's a sign of new growth and means your plant was happy to be repotted! They will turn darker in time if they have good light. They like bright light, but not direct sun. I have mine near a south-facing window but it's off to the side so that only the VERY early morning sun may be on it for just a short time.
...See More
begonia with red flowers and red leaves
Q
Comments (1)
The foliage color is genetic -- they are either green leaved or bronze-leaved -- BUT, the culture and care influence the intensity of the color a lot. The more sun they get, the more color in the leaves. Shade makes them a lot less vibrant. Also, if they are grown slightly dry, they tend to have more intense foliage color, but you don't want to stress them so much they don't grow and bloom well.
...See More
Embothrium
9 years ago
Last fall I dug it, left it lying there on top of the ground all winter
through wind and rain and even a couple of freezes hoping the shock
might give it a jolt

Flower buds on these are probably set the previous summer.
mfandrich thanked Embothrium
mfandrich
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you all for your help. I'll move the peony to a sunnier location and make sure it isn't too deep -- and I won't expect it to bloom this year anyway.

Thanks : )

Meghan
purslanegarden
9 years ago

Peonies can take several years to bloom, including up to 3 years. This may be the year they bloom. I would say don't move it just yet. Let it grow this season and move it in the fall. You probably should have noticed since the last few years that it gets more and more stems popping up. That certainly looks like about the right number/size/growth to put out a few blooms this year.
mfandrich thanked purslanegarden
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
9 years ago
My Sam Donaldson has been in 10 years maybe more, possibly it likes a heavier soil then I have, which I've been told might be the problem, nevertheless I'll give it 2 more years and out it goes if I don't see a bloom. I would have given up long ago but the flowers are such a lovely rich red, I keep hoping.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Red-Hot Poker

By Annie Thornton

You'll carry a torch for these spiky plants once you discover how their fiery-hued flowers can light up a landscape

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Great Design Plant: Red Bird-of-Paradise Soars With Color

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Fiery bursts of red-orange flowers bring hot summer gardens to life, while this shrub's drought tolerance keeps the living easy

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Great Design Plant: Red Yucca Spikes Dry Spots With Color

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Neither heat nor cold nor lack of water fazes this flowering succulent, which adds spiky texture to Southwestern landscapes

GARDENING GUIDES Bright Plants for Flower Beds That Wow

From new annual and perennial varieties to grasses, get dramatic with swaths of color

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Red Kangaroo Paw

By Annie Thornton

Plant this dramatic perennial in fall or spring for its height, hardiness and beautiful red blooms

COLOR Nature’s Color Wisdom: Lessons on Red From the Great Outdoors

By Laura Gaskill

Dab some of Mother Nature’s rouge around the home for an eye-opening look

COLOR What Goes With Red Walls?

By Laura Gaskill

These coordinating colors and materials will make your red walls look right at home

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Roll Out the Welcome Mat for Hummingbirds With Red Columbine

By Pollination Press LLC

Grow Aquilegia canadensis in eastern perennial gardens or informal woodland plantings for its delicate foliage and uncommon red flowers

DECORATING GUIDES Room of the Day: Black, White and Red All Over

By Becky Harris

Custom fabric, heirlooms, bold color and a beloved collection of books cozy up this farmhouse library

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Red Roses to Stir Garden Passions

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Show your devotion to color, scent and more with these regal landscape beauties

Sponsored

Emily Rudolph Interiors

25 Reviews

Hands-On & Collaborative Columbus Interior Designer

More Discussions

What is this old primula variety?

23

what kind of buttercup?

12

Is this elderberry?

2

I am told this is an aloe vera plant. Isn't it a gasteria?

2

curious black pods

3