Our two peony bushes are very old. I believe they’ve been here for decades. In the past couple of years, they haven’t done much. Last year, I think there was one flower on the bush that gets the most sun. The other bush is now under a tree that has grown in the almost 18 years we’ve lived here and now its leaves block out the sun.
But this year, one blossom managed to emerge before the leaves took over. I’ve missed this peony.
I would try transplanting, but I don’t know if it would work – especially digging up the peony with the tree blocking some of the roots.
The other bush might be a better possibility. Anyway, isn’t this bloom beautiful? I told Don about it and later in the day he came in the house declaring that the scent is ‘intoxicating!” It is.
Maybe I should simply plant two new peonies next spring.
And when will I remember to spray my plants with deer repellent earlier in the spring? I forget all about it, thinking that it’s a problem I’ll have to address in a month or so. In the meantime, the deer chomp on everything and I’m always shocked that it’s happened so early.
I made up the recipe yesterday and sprayed it on everything. And I mean everything.
Of course, it rained for two minutes this morning. It might rain more this afternoon (we need it.) If so, I’ll spray again.
Before you ask, I can’t send you a link for the recipe because I no longer have access to it – it was on my old computer. It may be on this blog somewhere and you’re welcome to search for it.
More clematis.
Just read a big chunk of War and Peace this morning. This particular section of the novel is so good I could not put it down, so I’m now ahead of the schedule.
Some good news: my former student from San Diego, Christine, has been battling cancer and her most recent test results are very positive. As Don says, Christine radiates joy and love, and we have been praying for her daily. And Adrian continues to get stronger. He walks a lot every day. His color is better. He is doing very well.
We have an air quality warning through tonight because of particulates in the air due to the wildfires in Canada.
Stay safe.
Happy Tuesday.
good news about getting at least one beautiful peony blossom, reading an especially-good section of “war and peace”, having deer-repellent spray ready (but not about needing it) and especially about christine and adrian.
hope you get more good news soon. and rain … a nice slow soak-in rain.
had a better night of sleep last night … except for a weird thought-i’d-let-that-all-go segment from my biggest job that had a horrible last three months. i’m focusing on feeling good from the sleep and reminding myself that i am happily, gratefully retired. and ready to get somethings done! :)
happy tuesday to everyone. stay safe!
kathy
Glad you had a good night’s sleep, Kathy.
Stay safe.
I love peonies! Yours is beautiful—the color we had at the lake, but a bit different in the way the petals form. Ours were also old and were too wet and shaded where they were, so we dug them up and planted them in a sunnier spot. They did fine. And like other things, I think older is better!
Yes, older is better!
Stay safe, Shanna.
What a gorgeous peony! They are such lush flowers! Good news for your friends…so nice to hear! Today we’re having overcast skies and breezes…rather have that than heat! It’s a good day to read! Take care!
Thank you, Barrie.
Stay safe.
I’ve had success moving peonies by taking as big a root ball as possible and being careful not to plant any deeper than the original level, so I’d vote for giving it a try sometime after a nice soil softening rain. And I think I also enriched the new spot with dried cow manure and leaf mold.
Cheers,
Ceci
I just have to find a spot that’s appropriate. Thanks for the advice, Ceci.
Stay safe.
I love peonies (how can one not?) Yours is georgous!
I have no advice about trying to move them but planting a new bush or two sounds isn’t a bad idea.
That is good news about your friends. I seem to hear about someone with cancer every week. That’s a exaggeration but it’s far too many. I am about to send a scarf to my cousin who was recently diagnosed. It is an organization founded by a young woman my son went to school with. She was diagnosed with cancer when she was pregnant and battled cancer and “lived life over cancer” for many years. It’s Hope Scarves and if anyone is interested it’s a good organization and they send scarves and hope all over the world. Just go to the website.
Take care
Thanks so much, Marilyn.
Stay safe.
I use 10-10-10 fertilizer in early spring or late fall as I’m putting the peonies to bed . They usually don’t require it every year but the oldies can use some vitamins to pick them up! I’d fertilize this fall and next spring and see how it goes.. It’s the same fertilizer you put on daffodils once they have died down. I would only move them if they are getting too much shade. The oldies are the most beautiful peonies. <3
Well, one of the bushes is definitely getting too much shade.
Thanks for the advice, Betsy!
Stay safe.
Your weather has been challenging for June-so-soon.
The peony and clematis are so pretty. I know nothing of either.
Of course my husband and I (wrongly) picked the ONE recent warm day out of weeks of cool overcast to do a huge decluttering over hours and hours; dripping in sweat (sorry for the image) in xtreme humidity and 86-degree temp here in Southern Calif, but we emptied our largest ‘outbuilding’ in the rear yard here at the house (it could indeed be a Tiny House; hardwood floor, two windows; there was a lot of stuff in there); some stuff had gotten wrecked when the roof sprang a worse leak and the hellacious January wind with storms kept repositioning the roof tarp; so, that was a wet, moldy mess to go through. (Same thing as what happened to you and Don, Claudia; we’re keeping this building/shed but either my husband is going to have to re-roof it or we’re gonna have to pay somebody to make a proper repair before next winter [which is hinting {meteorologists are} with long-term forecasting to possibly be another wet winter for my area}].)
But yesterday we took large cartons (of quite-nice stuff I could’ve kept for myself; the case of some new things never even having been yet used) to a Goodwill donation station (this included a ton of Christmas decorations; sigh); also as many cartons to the rescue center for the dogs (lots of clean, good bedding/blankets which will keep them warm in their pens come Fall and cooler nights). And I hated to contribute to the landfill, but our City cans are out there right now ready to be picked up. They couldn’t be more full.
I’m exhausted. So is my husband. But I was brutal (I have to be). I only kept ONE thing out of all that, and it was my childhood/adult collection of small blue-Delft figurines from the Netherlands (I’m one-quarter Frieslander/Dutch). They don’t take up much room! I hadn’t seen them for a long time, so it was a nice discovery; made me well up because one little clog/shoe was something my uncle gave to me when I was a young kid, celebrating our heritage with these small works from Holland; he’s been gone from me now for over fifty years as we lost him so early to a heart attack and I miss my uncle very much (Mom’s big bro).
Taking today off to do paperwork/bills while my husband is at his paying part-time job; then, tomorrow, we’re back at it, even with the sore backs and the sore hands. Must be relentless. I’m so mad with that offsite storage facility for raising our rent again (unfairly, by too much!) that it is really spurring me to dig into this mega decluttering/downsizing job, looking forward to ridding myself forever of cardboard boxes full of STUFF; the physicality of the task does help burn off all that negative attitude/energy toward the storage folks, though! Admittedly, after a day of vigorous work on this sort of thing, one does have a healthy sense of achievement; it feels good to clean out. It’s just that if I let myself think on how much I still have to do, I have to bite back tears.
I’m glad you and Don are getting good news on your friends’ conditions. Must say, ever since you posted about it, I have Meredith on my mind. (Your parents gave you nice names; Meredith is one of my favorite names and Claudia is a sophisticated, elegant name.) As it is, the girl has her hands full and she seems to have been through just too darned much, Claudia. You must be such a help to her with your good listening ear and perspective. You’re someone safe/safest with whom she can share. I’m glad you two are close despite the physical distance; I hope you can see her in person one of these days. I long for that, for myself, with my own relatives instead of always the phone, email; sometimes it’s just not possible, though, when we need an in-person visit to happen.
Glad you got a lot done. As someone who has done the very same thing, it’s WORTH IT! And it’s exhausting. But we felt so good about eliminating the need for a paid storage space and getting rid of lots of stuff that we didn’t need any longer.
Stay safe, Vicki.
Your pink peony is gorgeous. Yes, you must plant more peonies since you and Don love them so much. Happy news about your friends. We’re getting the smoke from the Quebec fires, too. It’s almost like you’re in a room with a wood fire. It’s hazy and your eyes sting. Don’t remember this happening before. Take gentle care. Hugs, Elaine
PS. Claudia, you posted the link to the Deer Repellent recipe on August 30, 2019. Hugs, Elaine
Oh, thank you, Elaine! That’s good to know.
xo
My eyes stung so much last night, Elaine!
It’s really terrible.
Stay safe.
Your peony is so pretty. All of ours bloomed this year. If you remember, my hubs parents built this house in 1938, and I believe the peonies have been here for most of that time as they are everywhere, and people do “share” them. As Ceci said, above, if you transplant any be sure that you don’t plant them deep. They are shallow plants for sure. And Don is absolutely correct, the scent is intoxicating!!
Such good news about your friends. Recovery takes time and lots of patience. It surely isn’t easy by any means. We have had the Air Quality warnings here, as well. I was outside for a bit yesterday and did notice it in my lungs. Since that bout with RSV earlier this year, it has made my lungs much more “sensitive” and those things do seem to bother me. These GOLDEN YEARS seem rather rusty instead of golden. ugh. Have a great nite and take care!!
Rusty is the perfect word for Golden .years!! Thanks for the laugh! ;)
They DO seem rusty! Ha!
My eyes were burning by the end of the day yesterday, so we’ve shut all of the windows today.
Thanks for the advice on the peonies, Chris.
Stay safe.
Oh this is weird you’re talking about your peonies today. I was just talking about them with a friend this morning. I want to plant peony bushes where we now have hostas that were eaten recently by a deer. It used to be a shady spot where they thrived. Several years ago we had to have a diseased ash tree taken down and now those poor hostas are in the sun all day. By the end of summer they look fried. So, I’m thinking next year we put peonies there. As far as I know the deer do not eat them.
So glad you got positive reports from your friends.
Take care,
K.
Can you replant the hostas in a shadier area?
Stay safe, Kay.
I think we should try in the fall. Last fall I wanted to but D thought they were fine where they are. Think he’ll be more receptive this fall.
K.
xoxo
Your peony is absolutely gorgeous! Maybe you could transplant it. But, maybe instead of chancing it, you could find another one later this season to plant in a sunny location.
As Chris said, we have had air quality alerts for several weeks already due to the Canadian fires. It does make for very pretty sunsets….the only redeeming value if that.
I am glad to hear that your friends are doing better….that has to alleviate some of your worry I would hope.
Enjoy your day! ;)
I just have to find the proper place to plant one. One that’s a bit protected from wildlife.
Thanks so much, Donnamae.
Stay safe.