Paeonia 'Cora Louise'
Common Name: Intersectional Peony
Much like the beautiful ‘Bartzella’, this selection also forms an impressively sturdy 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.
Very large 8-10”, semi-double, white flowers with striking deep lavender purple flares and a prominent tuft of yellow stamens are produced in late spring. Mature clumps can produce up to 50 flowers each! Be sure to cut a few of these lightly fragrant blossoms for fresh bouquets.
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
