|
|
'Red Champion' peony Reviews & Comments
-
-
Initial post
6 OCT 11 by
BrianP
|
Re Peony Red Champion:
Here is the description from the 1957-58 catalogue of F.J. Grootendorst & Sons:
"A really great PURE DEEP RED Peony, we are proud to introduce. Result of a cross between Felix Crousse and President Roosevelt, this variety has been tested over a period of many years. It has proven to be a valuable plant for cutflowers and for general garden use. The large, fully double flowers are bright deep red, slightly deeper in color than Felix Crousse. The strong stems do not make any sidebuds. Blooming midseason. p.10 $12.- p. 100 $100.- "
In addition, I have the following anecdote:
In 1976, I visited with Mr. George Krahn, peony afficionato and operator of Lakeshore Tree Farms, Saskatoon, SK, and was told that the peony 'Red Champion' may have been bred in Canada. Apparently salesmen of F.J. Grootendorst routinely visited nurseries in Canada and picked up interesting novelties. Mr. Krahn was of the opinion that 'Red Champion' was a seedling peony bred by Mr. Murray Orchard, provided to Grootendorst's firm about 1939. Mr. Orchard operated Glenorchie Farm Nursery at Miami, MB, Canada. The nursery is no longer in operation, but was well known for its many fruit introductions bred there. No other named peonies are known to have originated there.
|
REPLY
|
Reply
#1 of 3 posted
9 OCT 11 by
 jedmar
|
Thank you for this interesting information! Is 'Red Champion' still on sale in North America?
|
REPLY
|
Reply
#2 of 3 posted
9 OCT 11 by
BrianP
|
Re Red Champion availability, I don't know of any current sources. Hortico, Waterdown ON supposedly offered it in 2007, but it is not on their current list, and a personal check a few years ago left me with the impression that they did not necessarily have in stock what was listed in their catalog. Their most recent listings suggest they may have improved their inventory listings. I obtained (supposedly) a root of this cultivar some time ago from McConnell Nurseries, Port Burwell ON, but I am uncertain if it is the authentic cultivar, and that nursery has changed hands since then, and relocated, I think. My plant has rather light red (at times more of a deep pink) color, showing stamens. I have never taken note whether it lacks sidebuds, but think what I have is pure lactiflora with sidebuds. I can supply a photo of my plant's flower, if you wish.
This peony could be in one or two public gardens in Canada, but I would have to check some members of the Canadian Peony Society. I have not encountered it in Western Canada, where I live.
Brian
|
REPLY
|
Reply
#3 of 3 posted
9 OCT 11 by
jedmar
|
Thank you! It is listed as on sale in Holland, but I had wondered about the Americas.
|
REPLY
|
|
