Paeonia 'First Arrival'
Common Name: Intersectional Peony
Considered to be one of the best intersectional peonies by some collectors.
‘First Arrival’ produces large 6-8”, semi-double to double, lavender pink flowers with darker flares and yellow stamens in early to midseason. The flowers lighten as they age and as the plant matures, the flowers become more double. Up to 50 flowers are produced on a mature clump.
Much like the beautiful ‘Bartzella’, this selection also forms an impressively sturdy, symmetrical, rounded clump of healthy green foliage that is similar to that of a tree peony. Unlike some garden peonies, the foliage of this plant looks great from spring through fall and is substantial enough to be grown in place of a small shrub in the landscape.
Intersectional peonies are a relatively new class of Paeonia created by crossing herbaceous garden types with woody tree types. They are often called “Itoh Peonies” because the original cross was first made successfully by Japanese nurseryman Mr. Toichi Itoh in 1948. Sadly, he passed away before ever seeing one of his crosses bloom. Since that time, other hybridizers have continued his work including American breeder Roger Anderson.
Intersectional Peonies offer the best qualities of both garden and tree peonies combined including:
- Very large, tree peony-like flowers in colors not previously seen in herbaceous types
- Healthy, herbaceous foliage similar to tree peonies but with a robust, bushy habit that does not require staking
- Strong, herbaceous stems that hold the flowers upright even after a heavy rain; makes a better landscape plant than older herbaceous peonies
- A longer bloom time due to additional flowers being produced on side shoots
- Extreme winter hardiness like herbaceous types but with increased vigor
