Bartzella Yellow Peony – 3 Gallon Pot

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-8b (9 in cool-summer climates)  Find Your Zone

Plant Type:  Perennial 

Flower Color:  Pastel Yellow with Red eye

Flower Size: Large! 6-8″ diameter

Flowering Period:  Mid to Late Spring

Flower Type:  Single with overlapping petals

Fragrant Flowers:  Yes!

Foliage Color:  Green shades

Fragrant Foliage:  No

Berries:  No

Berry Color:  No

Attracts:  Butterflies, Beneficial Pollinators, Visual Attention

Resistances:  Cold Temperatures (-30F / Zones 3-8), Deer – more info, Disease, Drought (when established) Humidity, Rabbit, Salt 

Among a relatively new class of what are called “intersectional” Paeonia, which are a cross of herbaceous garden type peonies with woody tree types, Bartzella is one of the best we’ve grown. Incredibly elegant, Bartzella features abundant very large, sweetly fragrant, gorgeous double flowers 6 to 8 inches across with notched, pastel yellow petals surrounding a contrasting flare of red at the center. Established plants produce up to 80 flowers per plant held above the foliage on exceptionally sturdy stems, so there’ll be plenty for cutting and display in a vase or floral arrangement. The healthy green foliage, similar to that of a tree peony, forms an attractive clump to 3 feet tall and equally as wide that is so bushy and sturdy it doesn’t require staking. The foliage looks so good that it can be grown like a shrub for an accent or grouping in garden beds or home foundation plantings.

Intersectional peonies are often called “Itoh Peonies” because the original cross was first made successfully by Japanese nurseryman Mr. Toichi Itoh in 1948. Since that time, other hybridizers have continued his work including American breeder Roger Anderson, who developed the Bartzella Peony. Intersectional peonies have a longer bloom time due to additional flowers being produced on side shoots and the strong herbaceous stems hold the flowers upright even after a heavy rain.

Growing 30 to 36 inches tall and equally as wide, the Bartzella Yellow Peony is ideal for use as an accent in smaller garden spaces or in groupings in sunny perennial borders, around patios and other outdoor living spaces, or along paths and walkways. Sturdy like a shrub, we have no problem suggesting this one as an accent or grouping in home foundation plantings. A fine addition to butterfly gardens, cut flower gardens, beneficial pollinator gardens, fragrance gardens, antique gardens, cottage gardens and yellow theme gardens.

Suggested Spacing:  24 to 30 inches for solid groupings; 48 inches for space between plants 

Peonies are very easy to grow in most any well-drained but moist soil of average fertility in full sun or part shade. In Zone 8 peonies would prefer a break from the hot, direct sun during the mid-afternoon hours. Provide at least 4 hours of direct sun for best flowering. As with many other perennial plants, constantly soggy or wet soils can be problematic. Heavy, dense clay soils should be amended with organic matter to improve drainage. Because peonies grow deep roots, they are generally drought tolerant and carefree when established. That said, some folks like to remove the spent flowers to encourage development of the small side blooms, which extends the bloom period. After the plant is finished blooming for the season spent flower stems can be removed, though this is not necessary.