Catharina Fontijn Peony

The peony root I received had four growing tips on it. The root is long and thick, should be plenty strong for sending up many lovely peonies next year.

To my delight, this lovely peony bloomed this year after planting last fall! Soft, ladylike color and beautiful form! Didn't have a strong scent, but many of my normally fragrant peonies didn't either...I am blaming a cooler-than-normal, wet Spring.

Updating prior review:
I tried an experiment with this peony, and overwintered it in a 5 gallon bucket in my unheated garage, as my ground was too hard to plant. (Boy, there's a run-on sentence...) :D
Watered weekly, no other special care. By March, stems had emerged. Late May this beauty bloomed! Spectacular fluffy bloom of pink and cream. Not much scent, but thrilled she is evidently such a vigorous grower!

It is only January, but the pair of roots that I received are already cresting to the surface. I planted the roots that I received in grow bags and it was not much than a month later before the tips of new stems started to appear. I've been exposing them to lower temps in the hope that I can get their grow arrested.

Regardless, this peony appears to be a very vigorous grower. I've also been told that this can be a consequence of the roots having been refrigerated for several weeks (the plant thinks that winter is over), but winter has been mild so far and I think this is part of it.

Pleasantly surprised at tuber quality at such a bargain price! Plump, firm, with 4 lovely pink 'eyes'.