Cricket Hill Garden’s 15th Annual Peony Festival
May 1st to June 15th, 2008
The garden is now open Tuesday - Sunday, 10:00 to 4:00 pm.
You are invited to Peony Heaven! Join peony lovers from near and far who have made viewing the peonies an annual event since 1993. Come early to purchase a potted peony. We have many varieties for sale, too numerous to list online.
Our collection of 200 varieties of tree peonies in the display gardens will bloom this year in mid-May to late May. Every week for a period of 5 weeks, there will be different peonies in bloom. The Chinese tree peonies bloom first, followed by the Japanese tree peonies, and then American varieties. If the weather remains cool, then the tree peonies will go to the beginning of June. Bloom times vary with the weather. With cool weather, we see delayed or prolonged blooms.
Our collection of herbaceous and advanced hybrid peonies bloom May into early June. We are testing many new and interesting varieties. Later blooming intersectional peonies show their glory at the end of May into June.
A trip to our garden/nursery will delight you. Our 7 acre garden, set in a terraced woodland, is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10-4 pm. Come early for best selection of potted plants. We have many tree peonies with buds ready to bloom in containers.
There is always someone knowledgeable here to answer your questions and give planting advice. Buy potted peonies now or reserve for fall digging. We do not dig in spring or summer, as peonies resent transplanting when in leaf. We do have tree peonies in 2 yr.-old, 4 yr.-old and older plants in containers that may be purchased at the nursery. Choose herbaceous peonies and intersectional peonies in 2 to 3 gallon size. If you purchase potted peonies in full leaf or flower, we recommend that you keep them potted until the fall. Peonies do not like to be disturbed in the growing season.
A reminder for those too far away to visit: our fall shipping period is September to late November for USDA zones 4-9. Order early this year, stock is limited.
For directions to Cricket Hill Garden click here. Visit our part of Connecticut in the green, northwestern hills. For where to stay and other places to see nearby, go to www.litchfieldhills.com
Painting Peonies – May 17th – registration required
Join artist Dorie Petrochko at Cricket Hill Garden for a day of painting tree peonies in watercolors en plein air. This workshop will be held on Saturday May 17 from 10:00 a.m until 4:00 p.m. We will begin with a short garden tour and history of Chinese and Japanese tree peonies, following with painting instruction. We will continue with independent painting where Dorie will be on hand for individual and group critiques. Class size limited to 8 people.
In China, the tree peony or mudan is the national flower, and is highly regarded as a symbol of good fortune, prosperity and happiness. Tree peonies bloom for a period of less than 2 weeks, therefore this class will be held to take advantage of the peak blooming time. If there is heavy rain on Sat. May 17, the class will be held on Sunday, May 18.
Fee information and Registration:
Washington Art Association
4 Bryan Plaza
PO Box 173
Washington Depot, CT 06794
Tel: 860-868-2878
Fax: 860-868-3447
www.washingtonart.org
washingtonart@snet.net
About Dorie Petrochko
Dorie Petrochko is a painter and natural science illustrator with Certification in Botanical and Natural Science Illustration from the New York Botanical Garden. She teaches nature drawing classes in art and Audubon centers in New England and exhibits and lectures widely throughout the US. Her work can be viewed at www.doriepetrochko.com
Back to Top
