Itoh Peony Garden Candy® Summer Sunset™

Shades of yellow, soft orange, and pink blend beautifully in the stunning flowers of Itoh Peony Garden Candy® Summer Sunset™. This deer- and mildew-resistant must-have forms a round mound of olive green foliage that provides a perfect background for the display of large, double blooms. Like all plants in the series, the flowers are held close to the leaves, maintaining the tidy silhouette. Plant this beauty along a pathway, add it to foundation plantings, or position it in the middle of the border with yellow-flowering perennials at its feet. ‘Smithopus8’ PP 36,962

The genus Paeonia includes more than 30 species with plants native to Europe, Asia, and western North America. The majority are perennials that die back year to year (Herbaceous Peonies), while some are woody shrubs (Tree Peonies). There is also a group of hybrids created by crossing Herbaceous and Tree Peonies (Itoh/Intersectional Peonies). Peonies flower in mid- and/or late spring with blossoms appearing in a variety of forms, from delicate Singles to petal-packed Doubles. These long-lived, carefree plants are classic elements of borders and beds. They combine beautifully with a wide array of perennials. When Peony blossoms subside, their cut-leaf foliage and mounding forms continue to bring beauty and structure to the garden while flattering and supporting neighboring plants. The flowers of Herbaceous and Itoh Peonies are outstanding in bouquets.

In 1948, Japanese Peony grower Toichi Itoh made the first successful cross between an Herbaceous Peony and a Tree Peony, and the result, christened in his honor, are Itoh (or Intersectional) Peonies. Itohs borrow highly desirable traits from both plant parents then add a few advantageous characteristics of their own. Itohs are available in a broad range of flower forms and colors, including some of the brightest yellows. Plants offer the longest blooming season among all Peonies (about 3-4 weeks). The pointy, divided foliage resembles that of a Tree Peony, yet the blooming period tends to coincide with or slightly precede that of Herbaceous Peonies. The stiff stems tolerate weather and rarely flop, giving plants a full, shrubby look that is consistently tidy in the landscape. At season’s end, plants die back to the ground in the manner of Herbaceous Peonies. And like both parents, these long-lived plants require minimal care. Itohs are a remarkable treasure in any garden and an excellent source of cut flowers. Best grown with a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight.

For more information on growing Peonies, click Growing Guide.