
Cricket Hill Garden
Command Performance, hybrid herbaceous peony
Notable characteristics: Cultivar description from legendary peony hybridizer Don Hollingsworth: "Bomb Type; many cardinal red petals grow to a very large flower. Has attracted much attention at the national exhibitions, was Grand Champion in 1998. The flower dominates; buds massive, flowers may grow to nine inches diameter, probably best cut. Medium height, vigorous, stems occasionally crooked, bush presentation best for public view with support and/or screening plants."
Cultivar group, hybridizer and year introduced: Hybrid, Hollingsworth, 1996.
Growth habit and size at maturity: Upright, grows to 2.5' tall and 3' wide. Very good stem strength, but because of large flowers, still requires support in the landscape.
Flower form and size: Bomb double, 7" and upward facing. Excellent variety for landscape planting or cut flowers.
Flower fragrance: Slight.
Bloom time: Early to mid-season hybrid peony, blooms in our USDA zone 6a garden in the third week of May
Zone hardiness: Proven in USDA zones 3-9.
Plant size: 4-5 'eye' plants with a well developed root system. This size plant will likely flower its first spring in the ground, though it may need another season.
When we ship: Late fall/winter 2020 or early spring 2021 to USDA zone 4-9.