‘First Arrival’ Itoh Peony

Lifecycle

perennial

Bloom Color

rose-lavender

Hardy to Zone

3

Compare with other Itoh Peonies

Variety	Product Type	Lifecycle	Bloom Color	Hardy to Zone
‘All That Jazz’	bare-root plants		maroon-streaked white	3
‘Scrumdidlyumptious’	bare-root plants		buttercream/pink/salmon	3
‘Bartzella’	bare-root plants		orange-flared yellow	3
‘Singing in the Rain’	bare-root plants		orange-pink	3
‘First Arrival’	bare-root plants	perennial	rose-lavender	3
‘Sonoma Yedo’	bare-root plants	perennial	lemon yellow	3

Itoh Peonies

Undeniably lavish in bloom, Itohs (and those classified as Intersectionals) surprise some gardeners for being just as hardy and easy to grow as our more familiar garden peonies.

These wonders are a cross between herbaceous garden peonies and tree peonies and feature the best of both. Giant 6–9" blossoms (like the ones on tree peonies) open in early summer as many of the garden peonies are fading. The growth habit is similar to garden peonies with attractive mounded foliage that dies back in the winter. Strong stems rarely need staking. Side buds bloom late into the season.

To help you succeed with these pricier bare-root peonies, we’ll include planting and pruning instructions with your order, which you can also download.

Late Spring to Early Summer blooms. Zones 3-8.

Itoh vs. Intersectional

‘Itoh’ refers to the Japanese hybridizer Dr. Toichi Itoh, who during and after World War II made thousands of attempts to cross garden and tree peonies. His goal was to breed the perfect yellow peony. He finally succeeded in 1948 but did not live to see his seedlings bloom. In 1968 his widow gave an American breeder permission to introduce Itoh peonies to the West, where hybridizers took up the torch.

Some purists refer only to Dr. Itoh’s four original yellow peonies as Itohs and subsequent hybrids (many in other wonderful colors) as Intersectionals. We tend to call them all Itohs to honor the man who endured war while dreaming of flowers.

Herbaceous Perennial Plants

When you receive your order, open the bags and check the stock immediately. Roots and crowns should be firm and pliable. Surface mold is harmless and will not affect the plant’s future performance. Store plants in their packaging in a cool (35–40°) location until you are ready to plant. If it’s going to be awhile, you can pot up your perennials.

Do not plant bare-root perennial plant crowns directly outdoors before danger of frost has passed. Wet and/or cold conditions for an extended period may cause rotting.

For more info:
About planting bare-root perennials

Items from our perennial plants warehouse ordered on or before February 20 will ship from March through early May, starting with warmer areas and finishing in colder areas.

Orders placed after February 20 will ship from April to May.