Paeonia itoh Yellow Crown

The Yellow Crown Itoh Peony (Paeonia x itoh) is a sought-after intersectional peony known for its incredible flowering, attracting all the attention in spring. It is a hybrid variety, resulting from cross-breeding between a tree peony and an herbaceous peony. In May-June it produces a large number of semi-double flowers, slightly fragrant, composed of bright yellow petals, with a satin-like appearance, slightly crumpled, enclosing a heart filled with golden yellow stamens. Dominating the foliage, the flowers rise on rigid stems, giving a graceful appearance to the flowering and offering beautiful blooms for cut flower arrangements. 

The Yellow Crown Itoh Peony belongs to the Ranunculaceae or Paeoniaceae family. Itoh Peonies, or intersectional peonies, are the result of cross-breeding between a tree peony and an herbaceous peony. These plants are the result of the work carried out, starting in 1948, by the Japanese breeder Toichi Itoh, who was based in Tokyo and gave them his name. On his death in 1956 his widow passed on 6 varieties, including the Yellow Crown, to Louis Smirnov, an American of Russian origin who registered it with the American Peony Society in 1974. These plants, also known as intersectional, are exceptional perennials that combine the qualities of herbaceous and tree peonies, combining the vigour of herbaceous plants with all the splendour of tree species, in terms of both their foliage and their flowering.

The Yellow Crown Peony forms, from spring onwards, a compact and bushy herbaceous clump, reaching 90 cm (35in) in height and 100 cm (39in) in spread. 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, abundantly and lasting for three weeks. Leafy, semi-rigid, very firm stems appear, carrying large buds at their tips that open into large solitary, semi-double flowers, 15 to 18 cm (6 to 7in) in diameter. They are composed of bright yellow petals, with a satin-like appearance, slightly crumpled, enclosing a heart filled with golden yellow stamens. The above-ground vegetation completely disappears in winter, remaining as buds (eyes) located on the surface of the soil. It re-emerges in March-April. It is a very long-lived plant. Itoh peonies dislike heavy, waterlogged soils, especially in winter, and appreciate semi-shaded locations such as the edge of a grove or the shelter of a hedge.

The hybrid Yellow Crown peony can be planted in flowerbeds or alongside a path, combined with timeless perennials such as dark blue Irises, columbines, campanulas, perennial geraniums, carnations, Christmas roses, or in association with shrub beds or roses. It can also be grown in the vegetable garden to supply cut flowers for the house. Growing it in a pot is not recommended as its needs will not be met.

In the Peony or Paeonia category, the Itoh peonies stand out for the duration of their flowering and the aesthetics of their flowers. Popular and appreciated for their many qualities, peonies find their rightful place in the garden and in the creation of bouquets or floral arrangements. With a very wide range of varieties, it is easy to find the one that best suits your desires.