How old is your peony?

[Todd Ziegler]

Here is a picture of one of 16 peonies that are celebrating their 85 year old birthday. How old is your peony?

 

[Smart Red]

Since we bought and built on this property 40 years ago, the oldest peony on the site is. . . . 39 years old. Of course, it was taken as a division from the ones in my mother's yard. Still, those weren't more than 10-15 years older. Then again, her's were transplanted from a friend's house. I have no idea how old the original plant might be.

Post again when the flowers are in bloom. I love peonies!

I once read that a plant can only grow so long until it is genetically programmed to die of old age. I pooh poohed that idea when he suggested that all the cuttings and starts from that same plant would die at the same time -- all being genetically the same. I have more faith in the Master's plan than that!

 

[Nyboy]

Have one plant 30 years old

 

[Todd Ziegler]

I will post a picture when they open up. I am just amazed how long they live and what they can endure. These are located on my dads farm and to the best of my knowledge they have never been been fertilized. At least not in the last 50 years.

 

[Smart Red]

There was a row of peonies along a building next to the school that had been there forever. Never anything done to them other than admire them in the spring.

When the building was marked for demolition a lot of the teachers dug up root for their own homes. Peonies are tough plants. Come to think of it, I've never fertilized mine either. They just bring joy every spring and sit forgotten the rest of the year.

 

[so lucky]

You know, I like peonies, and had them for years, but I guess I resented the room they took up in the flower beds when not in bloom. And here, it seemed that they always opened just before a horrible rainstorm, and ended up nasty and moldy. So I dug them up and gave them away.
But I don't see why they couldn't live forever. If that book is correct, @Smart Red, maybe all the peonies the world over will die at one time, since they were all created from one original mutation?

 

[Todd Ziegler]

I love the blooms and it's to bad they can't be used medicinally. Because it has great longevity and needs no attention but I will settle for the blooms only.

 

[ninnymary]

I love peonies in flower arrangements. Sadly, I don't think we can grow them here.

Does anyone know why they last so long?

Mary

 

[Nyboy]

Ancient Chinese secret calgon

 

[Smart Red]

Bite your tongue, so lucky! What a loss that would be!