May Lilac

I first saw this peony in the Minnesota garden of plantsman Hans Hansen and thought it was one of the most beautiful peonies I’d ever seen.  Still do! I bought it in 2010 with birthday money from one of our mutual friends who said to “buy a peony”.  I can trace my obsession with Saunders peonies exactly back to this purchase.

The foliage gives it a special presence in the garden even when it isn’t in bloom. It has recently been given the Award of Landscape Merit by the American Peony Society. Well deserved.