tree peonies, with jeff jabco of scott arboretum

APPARENTLY I’M the kind of person people give tree peonies to, because over the years I have been gifted four of them by four different people. Call me the accidental tree-peony gardener, I guess–one who is long overdue for a 101 on their history, their pruning and other care. That’s what I just got from Jeff Jabco of Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore College in the horticulture-rich Delaware Valley of Pennsylvania.

Jeff is Director of Grounds and Coordinator of Horticulture at Scott and Swarthmore, where among the extensive and diverse plantings is a whole Tree Peony Garden area, one of the first collections established after Scott was founded in 1929 and now including more than 80 varieties of tree peonies. He is also vice-president of the Mid-Atlantic Peony Society.

Why consider these plants? Tree peonies are deer-resistant, extremely cold-tolerant, long-lived and really don’t require a lot of complicated pruning. And oh, those flowers (that’s one of Jeff’s favorites, ‘Nike,’ up top.).

Read along as you listen to the April 10, 2107 edition of my public-radio show and podcast using the player below. You can subscribe to all future editions on iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher (and browse my archive of podcasts here).

At the bottom of the page, learn about visiting Scott Arboretum at peak moments for tree peonies and other outstanding gardens and plant collections there.

tree-peony q&a with scott arboretum’s jeff jabco

Q. I’m so glad to finally get the lesson I am way overdue on. [Laughter.]

A. And it’s not too late.

Q. It’s never too late. I do try to be nice to them. Does that count?

A. That certainly counts; they are very forgiving.

Q. Before we get into tree peonies, as a bit of a scene-setter: Tell us a little about the Scott

peonies deciduous how-to ornamental plants radio podcasts annuals & perennials trees & shrubs state Pennsylvania state Delaware