Cricket Hill Garden
Paeonia, 'Nike' hybrid tree peony
Notable characteristics: Golden coral peach blossoms with dark red flares. The inner row of petals form a cup around the prominent center; the outer row of petals curve backward. Fragrant flowers stand well above foliage on strong stems. Vigorous grower and prolific bloomer. Nike is the Greek Goddess of victory.
This hybrid tree peony was bred by Nassos Daphnis, a talented artist who left an indelible mark on the worlds of horticulture and painting.
Cultivar group, hybridizer and year introduced: P. lutea hybrid, Daphnis, 1987.
Growth habit and size at maturity (10 years old): Upright grower, to 5' tall and 3' wide.
Flower form and size: Semi-double, 7". Flowers are well displayed on top of foliage.
Flower fragrance: Sweet.
Bloom time: Late-season hybrid tree peony, blooms in our USDA zone 6a garden in the first week of June.
Zone hardiness: Proven in USDA zones 4-9.
Plant size: 1 year old grafted tree peonies have 1 woody stem, with offshoot buds, and a graft root. The plant may or may not have some of its own roots already developed. This one may bloom its first spring in the ground, or will wait until the second spring.