Paeonia Itoh Viking Full Moon

The Viking Full Moon Itoh Peony (Paeonia itoh) is an intersectional peony, recognised and sought after for its incredibly bright yellow flowering, evoking the full moon. It is a hybrid variety that combines the qualities of a tree peony and an herbaceous peony: overall plant robustness and good performance, longevity and intensity of the flowering, and the vigour and decorative aspect of the foliage. Dominating intense green foliage, the blooms rise on rigid stems, giving the flowering a lot of grace and a beautiful vase life.  

This Viking Full Moon peony belongs to the family of Ranunculaceae or Paeoniaceae. There are three main groups of peonies: herbaceous peonies, which are perennial by virtue of their roots, forming a clump of foliage that disappears completely in winter ; tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) with woody trunks that can reach 2m (7ft) in height ; and Itoh peonies, known as intersectional peonies, which are the result of a cross between a tree peony and an herbaceous peony. Itoh peonies are the result of work carried out by the Tokyo-based breeder Toichi Itoh, starting in 1948, who bequeathed his name to them. These plants are exceptional perennials that bring together the qualities of herbaceous and tree species, combining the vigour of the former with the splendour of the latter, in terms of both foliage and flowering.

The Viking Full Moon variety was bred by Roy Pehrson (United States). After his death it was registered with the American Peony Society by William Seidl, in 1989.  The plant forms a herbaceous, compact and bushy clump from spring onwards, which can reach 90 cm (35in) in height with a spread of 100 cm (39in). Its growth is rather slow, but still faster than that of tree peonies. The plant develops large compound leaves with dark green and pointed leaflets that resemble those of tree peonies. Flowering takes place in early May in southern regions, a little later in cooler climates, abundant and lasting for three weeks. Leafy, semi-rigid, very firm stems appear, bearing large buds at their tips that open into large solitary, single flowers, 18 to 20 cm (7 to 8in) in diameter. They are composed of about 10 wide cream-yellow petals, arranged in two rows, marked by a slight red smudge, enclosing a heart filled with golden yellow stamens. The above-ground vegetation disappears completely in winter, persisting in the form of buds located at the surface of the soil. It regrows in March-April. It is a long-lived perennial plant.

Opulent and generous, slightly fragrant, the Viking Full Moon hybrid peony can be planted in beds or alongside pathways, associated with timeless perennials such as Irises, columbines, bellflowers, perennial geraniums, carnations, Christmas roses, or in combination with shrubs or roses in a border. It can also be grown in the vegetable garden to supply cut flowers for the house. Pot cultivation is not recommended, as its needs will not be met. Popular, appreciated for its many advantages, the peony finds its rightful place both in the garden and in the making of bouquets or floral arrangements. With a wide range of varieties, it is easy to find the one that best suits your taste.