[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Hero Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(244,240,233,0.9) 30%|rgba(244,240,233,0) 100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(244,240,233,0.9)” background_color_gradient_start_position=”30%” background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(244,240,233,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/www.saunderspeonies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/974-Julia-Grant-copy-scaled.jpg” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”119px|0px|119px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” admin_label=”Hero Area” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”27px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Hero Title” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ text_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” header_font=”Alice||||||||” header_font_size=”80px” header_letter_spacing=”-3px” header_line_height=”1.1em” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”|||” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”5%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” text_font_size_last_edited=”off|desktop” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”60px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Click here<\/a> for details about the information given in the peony descriptions.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The premiere peony society is the American Peony Society<\/a> (APS).\u00a0APS is the International Registrar for the genus Paeonia<\/em>.\u00a0<\/span>Professor Saunders was closely associated with APS throughout his lifetime, serving as Editor, Secretary, Vice-President, and President. The many articles he wrote for APS form the basis of our understanding of his efforts in hybridizing peonies. His daughter Silvia Saunders carried on this tradition of service as Editor and President of APS for several years.<\/span><\/p>\n I strongly encourage readers to examine the extensive information APS has posted online and to consider joining as a member.\u00a0 Members can elect to receive the APS Bulletins in print or electronic form, attend APS annual conventions, enter exhibitions, and participate in auctions which are often the only source for rare Saunders peonies.\u00a0 They also have access to even more online material through the Members Only portal. Silvia Saunders’ notebook has recently been scanned and added to that site.<\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, there are numerous regional peony societies throughout the world. Many of these are listed on the APS website.\u00a0 Check to see if there is one in your area.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario (herbaceous only)<\/span><\/p>\n Linwood Gardens, Linwood, New York (woody only)<\/span><\/p>\n Hamilton College Arboretum, Clinton, New York (both woody and herbaceous)<\/span><\/p>\n Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania (mostly woody)<\/span><\/p>\n Winterthur Museum and Gardens, Winterthur, Delaware (both woody and herbaceous)<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/oj3QoVKCcYI” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Video courtesy of Hamilton College Archives. This is a home movie taken by Alexander Woollcott in the early to mid 1930’s. It\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”https:\/\/www.markstoltenbergphoto.com\/” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Unless otherwise noted, all photographs were taken by me in my own garden.\u00a0 Most were taken in 2020 using the same camera (Nikon) and lens (macro). While most experts suggest taking photos early in the morning, some peony flowers do not open fully until later in the day.\u00a0 In that case I used exposure bracketing to compensate for higher intensity of light and typically selected the less exposured shots. My photography skills have been greatly improved by taking classes from Mark Stoltenberg<\/a> https:\/\/www.markstoltenbergphoto.com\/<\/a> and I encourage others to invest in some lessons to help document their collections.<\/span><\/p>\n For more fabulous peony photographs (Saunders cultivars and others) check out Nick’s website https:\/\/prairiepeonies.com\/<\/a> showing peonies growing in his Edmonton, Alberta garden. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n I’ve purchased Saunders peonies from most U.S. nurseries specializing in peonies as well as from several in Canada and Europe. Some of these nurseries have now closed or are no longer shipping to the U.S. so I’ve chosen not to identify my source for a specific plant.\u00a0 The APS website<\/a> has an extensive list of vendors for you to peruse. I’ve now “exhausted” most commercial sources and rely on gifts from other collectors or purchases at peony society auctions.<\/span><\/p>\n I’ve received encouragement and information from many members of APS and would specifically like to thank Don Hollingsworth, Nate Bremer, Reiner Jakubowski, and Henry Chotkowski as well as my frequent companions in traveling to peony gardens, Kris Jurik and Nicki Wiederstein. The archivists at Hamilton College, formerly Katherine Collett and now Jeremy Katz, have been very helpful in giving me access to the Saunders Family Papers held at Hamilton College https:\/\/archives.hamilton.edu\/repositories\/5\/resources\/89<\/a> . And lastly, thanks to my very patient husband Jack, who cheerfully digs holes, performs many other garden chores, and promises to be my traveling partner for new peony adventures.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nThe American Peony Society<\/span><\/h2>\n
Saunders Peonies in Public Gardens<\/span><\/h1>\n
Photography<\/span><\/h2>\n
Acknowledgements<\/span><\/h2>\n
Contact Information<\/span><\/h2>\n