Late Windflower

Aptly named for resembling a windflower (anemone) – most folks wouldn’t recognize a cut bloom as a peony! Mary Judson Averett of New Jersey reported favorably on its almost three-week bloom season in 1948 (National Horticultural Magazine, vol 27, p.110).

This is one of my favorite peonies.  Fortuitously it was planted in some shade and rewards with a long season of bloom. I really like the numerous small flowers which are so unique. It starts blooming about one week later than ‘Early Windflower’.

Cultivar: Late Windflower
Year: 1939
Seedling No: A strain, 12213-33. Page 15 of Saunders’ Notebook III
Parentage: 14: anomala beresowskyi X emodi
Flower: Color: white
Form: single, nodding small flowers resembling anemones
Blooms: Week 3
Carpels: 2, green
Stigmas: white
Disc: white, edged pink, conspicuous
Stamens: filaments pale yellow, red tips on anthers (very unusual)
Plant: Habit: rounded bush
Foliage color: medium green leaves, red stems
Foliage form: narrow and airy, fernlike
Height: 31″ in 2021
Recommendation: Highly recommended
Availability: Several specialty nurseries