The red peonies are joining the corals, early pinks and yellows. We are enjoying a nice display of color in the iris gardens and peony field, with peak bloom estimated the week after Mother’s Day, a bit earlier than most years.
Some of our intersectional Itoh peonies are open this week, with more to come next week. In great bloom are Al’s Choice, Callie’s Memory, Scarlet Heaven, Unique, Watermelon Wine and Yellow Heaven. Bartzella, Berry Garcia, Chief Black Hawk, Cora Louise, Garden Treasure, Julia Rose, Kopper Kettle, Lemon Dream and Prairie Charm are starting to open. Other intersectional peonies will begin blooming over the next week or so.
Some of the ‘jewel’ tone peonies, as a bride referred to them, are open: Cytheria, Flame, Joker, Laura Magnuson Nice Gal, Raspberry Charm, Scarlet Heaven, Theatrical and Watermelon Wine. Command Performance is just getting started.
This week and next is a great time to compare the Coral Supreme, Coral Sunset and Coral Charm colors. Salmon Dream, Salmon Glory and Pink Hawaiian Coral are also on display.
The big Red Charm peonies are open and the dark red Illini Warrior is coming on strong. A couple of the early whites are opening – Bride’s Dream and White Innocence. Most of the white peonies will open later this month. Serene Pastel is dazzling with its mixed pink and white coloring.
Yellow peonies in bloom include Lemon Chiffon and Prairie Moon along with the yellow intersectional peonies. Bi-colored peonies Blitz Tort and Green Lotus are in great bloom.
The early peony varieties that are still blooming include Abalone Pearl, Carnation Bouquet, Double Fern Leaf, Honor, Little Red Gem, Peachy Rose, Rosea Plena, Roy Pehrson’s Best Yellow and Rubra Plena, Silver Dawn Mix and Sugar ‘N Spice.
With over 300 varieties, we will be seeing many other peonies opening throughout the month. We invite you to stop by our farm and take a look. We are open daily from 10 am – 6 pm throughout peony bloom season (till June 7th or later).
Brooks Gardens peony farm and iris gardens is located at 6219 Topaz Street NE, Brooks (or Salem), Oregon, 97305. We are just over one mile north of Brooks, OR (between Woodburn and Salem, off of 99E) and 30 minutes south of Tualatin, Wilsonville and Canby, OR. About 40 minutes south of Portland, OR.
Directions: from I-5, take exit 263; east one mile to Brooks; left (north) at the stoplight; just over one mile to Topaz Street on the right. Topaz Street is one half mile and ends at our farm. Follow our purple Peonies & Iris signs to our secluded Oregon farm.