Noa Jolie™ Itoh Peony

Right now you may be asking yourself what an Itoh Peony is, because these newer types have not yet reached many general gardeners. Also called intersectional hybrids, these amazing plants are the result of crossing a regular peony with the exotic tree peony, and the results are stunning. The Noa Jolie™ Itoh Peony is an outstanding example, with enormous, 8-inch flowers of the most striking beauty. A bowl of swirling, frilly petals, the coloring is charming, with softer pink edged and patterned with shades of deeper raspberry. They sit at the top of the foliage, not on long stems, so they need no staking, and are just as easy to grow as a regular herbaceous peony. The leaves are more jagged and decorative too, and stay clean and mildew-free all summer, making this plant a great addition to your beds even when not blooming. It stands around 3 feet tall and wide within a few years, and lives for decades without any special care. It’s ideal for planting among perennials, but also great in a shrub bed, and of course will look amazing in a simple, Asian-themed garden too. It’s just as cold hardy as a regular peony, so northern gardeners can enjoy the look of exotic tree peonies, and southern gardeners will find it much easier to grow than herbaceous peonies, so it’s a win-win for everyone.

• Huge, 8-inch blooms are ruffled and spectacular
• Gorgeous shades of pink and raspberry
• As easy to grow as a regular peony
• Handsome serrated foliage stays clean all summer
• Cold hardy, and heat resistant as well

Grow the Noa Jolie™ Itoh Peony out in full sun, although in hot zones it might appreciate a little afternoon shade. It should be planted in well-prepared, moist, rich, but well-drained soil, so use plenty of compost when preparing the hole, and use more as mulch, replacing it each fall after you cut down the yellow leaves. It’s important to plant correctly, adding no more than 1 inch of soil above the point where the stems meet the roots. Deep planting will delay blooming, often for years. Allow a couple of seasons for your plant to establish before it begins to bloom reliably. It isn’t eaten by deer or rabbits and usually has no pest or disease problems. An easy plant to grow, and one to enjoy for years to come.