Itoh peonies, also known as intersectional hybrids, are highly desirable plants. These unique specimens combine the best attributes of two different peony types, resulting in a vigorous plant with spectacular, long-lasting blooms. Their sturdy stems and unique color range make them a sought-after addition to any landscape. Purchasing Itoh peonies requires knowing where to look for the best selection and quality.
Understanding the Itoh Hybrid
The Itoh hybrid is the result of a successful, yet difficult, cross between the woody tree peony and the herbaceous peony. This unique combination merges the exotic, large flowers and novel color palette of the tree peony with the robust, die-back habit of the herbaceous variety. The Japanese botanist Dr. Toichi Itoh was the first to achieve this cross in 1948, creating a new class of peony that was initially quite rare and costly.
Itoh peonies produce immense flowers, often reaching seven to eight inches across, with colors that include vibrant yellows and corals not commonly found in traditional herbaceous peonies. A key benefit is the strong, non-flopping stem structure that easily holds the weight of the large blooms without requiring staking. Like herbaceous types, the foliage dies back to the ground each winter, ensuring reliable perennial performance in cold climates. This specialized genetic makeup drives the need for focused sourcing when buying.
Specialized Online Retailers and Mail Order
The widest selection of Itoh peony cultivars is found through online vendors and specialty nurseries. These sources often specialize in rare or newly hybridized varieties, such as ‘Bartzella’ or ‘Cora Louise,’ which general garden centers do not stock. Ordering online allows access to growers across the country, significantly increasing the chance of finding a specific color or bloom type.
Most Itoh peonies purchased through mail order are shipped as dormant bare roots, which is the most economical way to acquire them. Specialists typically harvest and ship these bare roots in the late summer or early fall for immediate planting. While bare roots may take up to three years to flower consistently, this method provides the greatest variety and often the best pricing for sought-after cultivars. Large national seed and bulb companies also offer Itohs, providing another online option for common and well-established varieties.
Local and Regional Sources
For buyers seeking a more immediate display or who prefer to inspect their purchase, local and regional sources are an excellent option. High-end local garden centers and reputable nurseries frequently stock Itoh peonies as established, potted plants in one-gallon or larger containers. These plants are usually at least two years old and have a higher likelihood of blooming in the first season after planting.
Acquiring a potted Itoh offers the advantage of instant gratification and a greater chance of survival for novice gardeners compared to planting a bare root. However, the convenience and maturity come with a higher price tag, reflecting the two years of growing time already invested by the nursery. Another reliable local source is annual plant sales hosted by botanical gardens or regional horticultural societies, which sometimes offer divisions from their own established collections.
Essential Purchasing Checklist
Regardless of whether you choose an online or local source, smart purchasing requires attention to detail. The ideal time to order bare-root Itohs is early in the spring or summer, securing a plant for the traditional fall delivery and planting season. Planting in the fall, typically from September until the ground freezes, allows the root system to establish itself before winter dormancy.
When purchasing a bare root, ensure it is firm, free of soft spots, and has at least two to five visible “eyes,” which are the growth buds for the future stems. A bare root with fewer eyes will be slower to establish and mature. Potted plants should exhibit strong, dark green foliage and show no signs of yellowing or spotting, which can indicate disease.
Because Itoh peonies represent a significant investment and take time to mature, checking the vendor’s reputation and guarantee policy is important. Reputable sellers will offer a guarantee on the viability and authenticity of the cultivar purchased. This assurance is important for a plant that may not display its true characteristics until two or three years after it is first planted.