Thanks Arbutus! That is so thoughtful that you remembered! I got the notice from Annie's too. I'm on the fence if I should get them. $35 for a 4 inch plant is so expensive! I might need to wait.

They also have the blue Himalayan poppies thatbare supposedly the most heat tolerant (Meconopsis x sheldonii). I am sure it's still too hot here usually for those though... but whoa they are cool! If anyone is by the coast and gets cooler Summers... try them!

Ha, I almost mentioned the Meconopsis in my first post as well! I'm sure it won't be a great pick, but I folded and added one to my order last night too. They are such enchanting flowers. Some experiments are worth a shot even if they're destined to fail.

I got the peony from Annies 2 years ago. It's gorgeous and thriving. I noticed they were already sold out Friday evening. That was fast! Lisa

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Lisa, do you have any photos of your plant? It might be on my list for next year.

I'm looking. Might be on FB.

Sorry, gardyloo. I think it must have been on my old phone. There is a pic of my one unopened bud,( I got this past February)on the peony forum here on Houzz under Paeonia Cambessedesii. It's not a spectacular photo. For some reason It only had one flower this year. Last year it had many more. I need to do some research to see what I may have done, or not done, to cause that. Don't let that discourage you from putting it on your wish list. It's beautiful and no fuss. Lisa

If anyone is still interested in purchasing the peony from Annies, I received notification this morning that they have some ready again. I would be quick to order if you really want one. Lisa

Does anybody grow 'Mollis'? This is another Mediterranean peony readily available in Europe and a lot cheaper than the price I see here. It's a pretty plant, lowish, with large, cool pink blooms with a boss of golden stamens, early flowering. Mine have been growing for years in a four season Mediterranean climate, with snow in winter and long dry summers (no irrigation). Poorish gray clay soil, part shade. Mine seed, too.

A problem is that there may be different plants in circulation under this name. I know I got a mislabeled plant once, because it was different from my original two. But I don't know if even the first two were the true variety, as I've read that 'Mollis' is sterile, and that my plants definitely are not.

I wanted to suggest an attractive Mediterranean peony that would cost less than P. cambessedesii (hope I got the spelling right). I've read, and my experience confirms this, that viable peony seed sowed fresh germinates quickly, but if you let the seed sit around for a while, it can wait years before it sprouts. A thought to keep in mind if you buy seed: a good deal of patience may be required (and don't throw away seeds that don't sprout!).

I poked around a little on Internet and found 'Mollis' offered for sale in the U.S., so it is available, though I don't know how widely. While I'm busy offering unsolicited advice, let me mention another excellent Mediterranean peony, one I brought up recently in another thread on the forum: P. officinalis 'Rubra Plena'. This is as red and as full as a person could ask for, and an excellent grower. It's common locally. This is different from the double red form of yet another Mediterranean peony, P. tenuifolia.

I am wondering how these will do in your garden, as I don't know your conditions. We have a mild climate, but we do get chill hours, and I don't know whether the peonies I've mentioned need that.

I'm always looking for species or hybrids of plants that are unique/exceptional in their requirement of no chill hours.

There are some very interesting Rhododendrons from tropical settings I would love to try, but they're hard or nearly impossible to come by in most cases.

Some peonies seem to grow here in Coastal Southern California, but not the type my parents are acquainted with having grown up in the Midwest. I'll look into your recommendations Melissa. Thank you!