THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 14, 1995 TAG: 9505120066
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBERT STIFFLER, GARDENING COLUMNIST
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
MISSISSIPPI EXTENSION agent and garden writer Felder Rushing told those attending the recent Williamsburg Garden Symposium that peonies can be successfully grown in the South.
Rushing recommends planting early blooming varieties, because they do not require as much cold weather as later blooming varieties.
Earlier this year Garden Gate magazine printed an article with advice on how to ensure peony blooms. Gardeners often are told their peonies won't bloom because they were planted too deep. Kent Crossley, owner of New Peony Farm in St. Paul, Minn., says that is largely folklore. He says peony roots on which the buds form will find their proper depth.
Crossley advises against moving established peonies. If growing conditions are suitable, they will eventually bloom. But planting at the right depth helps. If you plant a crown (the point at which roots and stems diverge), too deep, you'll delay flowering.
Crossley also says the following factors may affect blooming:
Garden centers generally sell plants that won't bloom for at least two years.
Too much high-nitrogen fertilizer produces foliage at the expense of blooms. Crossley recommends a light feeding of 5-20-5 or similar fertilizer each spring. Bulb fertilizers also will work.
Too much shade or excessively sandy soil inhibit peony blooms. AUTHOR LOEWER TO SPEAK
Don't miss author Peter Loewer's ``Murder in the Garden'' lecture at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. Loewer, author of more than 20 garden books, is one of the best and most humorous garden speakers today.
The lecture is free to NBGS members, $5 to others.
Loewer also will conduct a workshop on small gardens from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, and he'll sign copies of his new book, ``The New Small Garden.''
Cost for that workshop is $15 for NBG members; $18 to others. Call 441-5838 to register. OH, THOSE BLOOMING IRIS
Iris are in bloom at Ballard's Iris and Daylily Farm in Chesapeake. Viola Ballard welcomes visitors or buyers. For directions to the farm at 1304 Canal St., call 487-0176. A GIFT FOR MOTHERS
Mothers and their immediate families will be admitted free today at the Norfolk Botanical Garden and the Chrysler Museum. Through the gift of a donor, admissions are free all day, including boat and train rides at the garden. Rain date is May 21. Call 441-5830 for the garden; 664-6200 for the museum. FLAUNT YOUR BUTTERFLIES
The Butterfly Society of Virginia is eager to obtain the 150 required advance sales of a new butterfly license plate before June 1. The General Assembly recently passed a law requiring 350 advance sales of new plates as of July 1. The Division of Motor Vehicles wants the butterfly plate advance sales completed by the middle of June for processing before the deadline. For forms, call Ruth Burch 499-0333. TIME TO PLANT
Soil is warm enough now to start planting tomatoes, peppers and eggplants in your garden. These vegetables are sensitive to cold soils and weather. Once stunted by cool weather, they recover slowly. Space 18 inches apart when you plant and put a cupful of a starter solution in the hole. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Peonies look good growing or cut.
by CNB