Go Back Yankee Doodle Dandy Itoh Peony

Posted: May 7, 2019 at 4:59 PM
Paeonia Itoh 'Yankee Doodle Dandy'
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Plant Type: Peonies

Hybrids between Tree Peonies and herbaceous Peonies, known as Intersectional or Itoh Peonies, are superb, long-lived plants with the large, exotic blooms and refined foliage of Tree Peonies, but with stems that die back to the ground in fall like herbaceous Peonies. Making crosses between these two groups was a horticultural feat that proved remarkably difficult to accomplish. The quest for this elusive marvel began in Japan in the late 1940s with Mr. Toichi Itoh, and was picked up by American breeders. Don Hollingsworth introduced ‘Garden Treasure’ and ‘Border Charm’ in 1984. Rodger Anderson, an amateur breeder in Wisconsin, spent 12 patient years carrying out crosses, finally hitting the jackpot with yellow ‘Bartzella’, registered in 1986. Since then, other beautiful colors have been developed, but only a few have made it into commerce.

Currently not available for online purchase.

Growing & Maintenance Tips:

Flower Color

Purple/pink

Foliage Color

green

Plant Spread

36"

Good Companions

other part shade or full sun plants

Plant Height

36"

Scape Height

NA

Hardness Zone

3-8

Soil Moisture

Low-Average water needs

Characteristics & Attributes

Attributes

Large 6" blooms

Bloom Time

Late spring/Early summer

Critter Resistance

Deer, Rabbits

Exposure

Full Sun - Part Shade

Growth Rate

Medium

Seasonal Interests

Summer