Hi Kate, We have three of Festiva Maxima, but they were just planted last October, so I've not seen them bloom yet. We ordered that one and three other varieties--Edulus, Jules Elie, and Shirley Temple--from a large bulb nursery in North Carolina that's a zone warmer than it is here, so they must be well-suited to heat! (The place is the www.terraceiafarms.com/.) The others they carry are Felix Supreme, Karl Rosenfeld, and Sarah Bernhardt. (I'm assuming that the one they call "Edulus" is the same as the variety that's usually called Edulus Superba.) I've seen Sarah Bernhardt before and it looks wonderful, but hesitated on that one because a peony book I have recommends skipping it because it has to have support when blooming. Anyway, we're just getting started with peonies and it looks as if there are a good many that will work in zone 7. If the winters continued being so cold as this past winter, we could probably grow lots and lots more peony varieties... but I'm supposing that we'll be back to warm winters and droughts soon enough. Our camellias loved the rainy weather and unbroken chill of this past winter, and have done the very best they've ever done. Thanks very much for posting, Kate! Best wishes, Mary

I think the fade from purple to white looks pretty cool along with the yellow pollen in the middle. It looks similar to the rockii tree peonies which I don't think I have yet, but I have so many tree peony seedlings that already have distinctive looking leaves so it might also be in my collection already. Misaka looks pretty good, and I might get it if I find a good deal on it, but I have enough of an itoh peony collection so that it's not really necessary. One thing about itoh peonies is that they propagate really easily as I managed to get literally a bud to turn into a little plant with a bit of rooting powder of course, but it worked. If you are buying one, you really don't need a big plant or many of them as they grow pretty fast as well.

Early fall is the best time. If you will divide it now, it could be too stressful for the plant - it might loose the foliage which is the important source for feeding your Peony during the growing season.

One year in the ground is not "well established', especially for a plant that can live to be 100 y.o.!! Relatively recently planted peonies will often 'pout' for a year or two after planting and not produce a huge number of flowers - they are busy focusing on root development. Good sun exposure is necessary as well as a fairly shallow planting condition and fertile, well draining soil. btw, there is a lot of old wive's tale mythology about when to plant or transplant peonies. This can be done at any time of year you can work the garden, however transplanting anything in the middle of the growing season, especially in hot summer climates, is risking transplant shock. If you can do it carefully and provide proper aftercare, it can be done after flowering.