Gilbert H. Wild & Son is a prominent name in horticulture, known for its extensive peony collection. These captivating flowers, celebrated for lush blooms and varied forms, bring timeless elegance to any garden. Their enduring presence highlights a dedication to cultivating and sharing these cherished perennials. Gardeners often seek their offerings to enhance landscapes with vibrant colors and rich textures.
The Enduring Legacy of Gilbert H. Wild & Son
The heritage of Gilbert H. Wild & Son traces back over 150 years, beginning in 1868 when James Herman Wild settled in Sarcoxie, Missouri, inspired by the region’s wildflowers. The nursery began in 1885 when James’s son, Gilbert Herman Wild, purchased peony roots from Europe and successfully sold their blooms. This success laid the foundation for a significant business in the plant industry.
Over time, the family farm expanded its offerings to include daylilies and iris, building a reputation for excellence. Gilbert H. Wild & Son became known for cultivating and shipping plants directly to customers, establishing trust within the gardening community. Their growing fields in Sarcoxie, Missouri, expanded, and their plants gained recognition for vigor and longevity.
Throughout the 20th century, the nursery made substantial contributions to the development and popularization of peonies, daylilies, and iris. They became prolific hybridizers, registering over 2,000 varieties and earning accolades such as the prestigious Stout Silver Medal. This commitment to breeding new cultivars cemented their importance in horticulture, with plants even finding homes in notable locations like Russia’s Red Square.
Exploring the Gilbert H. Wild Peony Collection
Gilbert H. Wild & Son offers a diverse selection of peonies, catering to various gardening preferences. Their collection includes popular types such as herbaceous peonies, known for their lush, bushy growth and various bloom forms and colors. These classic garden favorites die back to the ground each winter, re-emerging with renewed vigor in spring.
The nursery also features tree peonies, which develop woody stems and offer large, often exotic-looking blooms. Unlike their herbaceous counterparts, tree peonies maintain their woody structure year-round, adding a distinct architectural element to the garden. Intersectional, or Itoh, peonies are another highlight, combining the best traits of both herbaceous and tree peonies. These hybrids boast large, colorful flowers and strong, non-woody stems that die back in winter, offering a unique blend of characteristics.
Beyond these main categories, Gilbert H. Wild & Son includes varieties that evoke a more natural or “wild” aesthetic. This can encompass species peonies, which are often single-petal forms known for their robustness and simpler beauty. The collection aims to provide both classic and unique options, ensuring gardeners can find varieties that fit their design vision, from fully double, fragrant blooms to more open, heritage styles.
Why Gilbert H. Wild is a Preferred Peony Source
Gardeners frequently choose Gilbert H. Wild & Son due to their long-standing reputation for providing high-quality, healthy plants. The company cultivates its own plant stock across over 450 acres, allowing for direct control over quality and shipping processes. This in-house cultivation approach helps ensure that plants are robust and ready to thrive in their new garden environments upon arrival.
Their extensive selection is another advantage, offering a broad spectrum of peony varieties alongside other perennials like daylilies and iris. Customers can easily find options suited to their specific growing conditions, with plant descriptions often including USDA Hardiness Zones. Gilbert H. Wild & Son also emphasizes their commitment to customer service, providing expert knowledge and support to gardeners.
The company states a dedication to ensuring satisfaction, addressing issues like damaged or missing items promptly with replacements or store credit. They also provide clear care instructions with their plants, assisting gardeners in successful establishment and vibrant blooms. This combination of quality plants, broad selection, and customer-focused practices contributes to their standing as a trusted source for peonies.