Ludovica
This is one of the latest of the “lobata” hybrids to bloom but it is worth the wait when the abundant flowers begin to open. Flowers are held just a few inches above the foliage framing them nicely. Ludovica is Latin for Louise, so this is another peony Saunders named for his wife.
| Cultivar: | Ludovica |
| Year: | 1941 |
| Seedling No: | 9926. Page 22 of Saunders’ Notebook I |
| Parentage: | 7: lactiflora 1875 X “lobata of Perry” |
| Flower: | Color: | bright rose with white flares on both inside and outside of petals |
| Form: | semi-double, 3-4 rows, outer petals notched, cup shaped | |
| Blooms: | Week 5 | |
| Carpels: | 4-8, light yellow, woolly | |
| Stigmas: | deep pink | |
| Disc: | pink | |
| Stamens: | filaments light yellow | |
| Plant: | Habit: | rounded bush |
| Foliage color: | medium green, stems are green | |
| Foliage form: | medium wide, termal leaf in leaflet sometimes notched | |
| Height: | 35″ in 2021 | |
| Recommendation: | Highly recommended |
| Availability: | Several specialty nurseries |
