Candies – for the eyes and soul
The few peonies from my garden have opened their fruits. Given the capricious spring and following drought it is no surprise the harvest is small from a few species like Paeonia japonica. They start to flower a bit too early in our climate.
On the other hand, Paeonia officinalis, which flowered later in the spring during a nice weather window, has exceeded the expectations. Therefore, you can acquire Paeonia officinalis seeds at a lower price this season :) However, we have to admit that Paeonia mascula fruits are more beautiful because of the red appendages (unfertilized ovules).
Peonies are wonderful garden plants, long lived, tough and reliable. Put them on your wish list, if interested; they are best sowed in late summer.
Moist packed ‘candies’ recently collected: Uvularia grandiflora (almost missed them this year) and to my surprise the Mayapple, Podophyllum peltatum, also produced some fruits (usually in very dry years they get aborted early on). Maybe Medeola seeds will also be ready by the end of the month; otherwise the next batch of species that require moist packing are usually collected only in September (Maianthemum species).
In the garden, only Trillium flexipes has set and developed fruits; all other Trillium have been displeased with the drought.
The Seeds List is starting to take shape, although there will be more changes coming September and October. The date for the Shop re-opening: tentatively August 28th, with an emphasis on Paeonia, Lilium and the Moist packed seeds category, plus other species that require summer sowing.
