Five Points Peony Farm

08/22/2026

Half way through August and it is raining. I managed to miss the great Dover tornado although I was in Dover when it happened, just not in the direct area hit. When I returned home, it was to puddles but everything was fine. My electric didn't even go out.

The mid summer drought, nasty thunderstorms and heat has the peonies looking pretty rotten. The tops may look poor but it is what is going on underground that is what matters. Summer is when peonies form the new eyes that will grow and flower next spring. So, if you need to divide or move your plants, early fall would be the best time to do so.

07/06/2026

Look at the lovely rainbow across the street.

07/05/2026

It has been abysmally hot with temps reaching to 100 for two or three days straight. Now, it isn't just the heat but the humidity level as well which pushes the heat index up, so 100 can feel upwards of 105 or better. Yuck! It is terrible when everything you are wearing sticks to you. Added to all this misery is how dry it has been. With no substantial rain in quite a while it is taking a toll. I can drive the back roads and see corn and soy beans drying up in the farm fields. The farm across the street is irrigating but many farms don't have the big boom systems and are dependant on Mother Nature's whims. Tonight she delivered her own form of fireworks for the 4th with some wicked storms and buckets of rain. My local commercial fireworks started early in an attempt to beat the storm. They did, for the most part, although the grand finale went up in conjunction with thunder and some pretty vivid lightning. Since I can see the display from my home I shot a picture or two. Note the storm line moving in as the fireworks went up. It was quite a way to end the 4th.

07/04/2026

06/23/2026

Yes! We got some rain! It has been very dry of late and, although peonies can be fairly drought tolerant, they can't exist with just the tiny amounts nature has graced us with of late. So, yesterday's rain, however brief, was welcome, not just by me but by the local farms as well. Most of them have corn in the field this year and seeing stressed and drought damaged corn is a sure sign that rain is desperately needed. More is coming this afternoon. Here's hoping that when it arrives it will rain over several hours to allow it to sink in instead of just run off like we would get with a quick down pour. I'll be happy to stay inside for an afternoon in exchange for some rain. Besides, rainy days are the time that true gardeners get their housework done.

06/06/2026

I'm hooting with the owls tonight and posting late.

The field is finishing up. Just side buds and the late flowering varieties are still going like Elsa Sass and Autin's Pride. It is always sad to see the petals drop after a glorious spring show. At least the field still smells sweet with the last of the flowers. I'll still be pulling hours on maintenance and hoping for rain as it has been dry. It's not so dry that the irrigation booms at the farm across the street from me have gone on but other farms in the area are pumping water to their fields. For now, my peonies are fine but rain is still welcome. It makes w**d pulling easier too.

05/26/2026

Today was Memorial Day. On this day I hope that you stopped to think of those who served to make sure that you get to enjoy the holiday. My Dad served in the Army Air Corp going with the first occupation troops into Germany. He was drafted a bit late in the war since he was an only child, a trained tool and die maker and his skills were needed at home. Dad never spoke much about his time in Germany. His job was to repair planes and run the machine shop. Although he saw the concentration camps he didn't talk much about them or what he saw. It was hard for him. What I do know is that it is possible to do a loop de loop with a bomber. He refused a purple heart when he was wounded by shrapnel scrounging a dump for parts and a anti personal explosive went off. And he came home to marry, start a family and a successful business where so msny others did not. So, on this day, I remember those who served, like my Dad, those who still do and those who sacrificed all. Happy Memorial Day.

05/25/2026

It has been rainy the entire holiday weekend. Now, I'm not really upset because it has been pretty dry and the rsin is much needed. It looks like we will see some sun on Tuesday and then I can get back into the field and take up where I left off. The rain has knocked off a lot of petals but I still have a few later bloomers just getting started. Tourangella. Nippon Beauty, the couple Nick Shaylor, Sarah Bernhardt and Shirley Temple that I have are just starting to flower. And, since the weather has cooled, the flowers won't run through their bloom cycle so fast. That means I get to enjoy them a bit longer.

05/17/2026

Spent some quality time in the field yesterday. The warm, sunny day has encouraged more peonies to break into bloom. Duchess de Nemours has started as well as the few Festiva Maxima that I have. Many are not far behind like Duchess de Orleans, Mons. Martin Cahuzac, Richard Carvel and A.B. Franklin. It does smell very nice out there with all the blooms. Today should be similar temperature-wise which will encourage more flowers. Now, if we would only get some rain. The area is in an official drought and we are running short by a few inches. The next chance of rain should be Wednesday and maybe some on Thursday. A good soaking would be nice but we will take whatever we can get. Keeping those fingers crossed.

05/13/2026

Felix Crousse has just exploded! I had tight buds barely showing color and, boom, I have open flowers. Talk about eager! Also starting to flower is Miss America, a double gold medal winner from the American Peony Society, Sea Shell and Gardenia. A bunch of others should flower up soon. They are all a bit late this year since our weather has been kooky. Generally, the field peaks for Mother's Day but this year most of the plants are holding back due to up and down temperatures and that heavy frost that wreaked my beautiful yellow magnolia at peak flower. The peonies where just fine but my magnolia flowers turned brown and the emerging foliage was badly burned.

Also in flower is my Virginia Fringe Tree and my Japanese Snowbell is just starting.