Even though it was cool, cloudy and windy we decided to drive to Aspelund Peony Garden on the last day of their June open houses. As soon as we got out of the car I was glad we were there. The colorful array of peonies were so inviting they made me smile.
It was difficult to take photos with the peonies swaying in the wind. There are great photos on Minnesota Prairie Roots blog where I learned about this farm. Click here.
According to the proprietor of the peony garden, the wind and storms the day before, on Saturday, wreaked havoc with the peonies, but that didn’t stop several folks finding their way to the farm to decide which peony bush they wanted to order…order now, pick up in the fall (a good time for transplanting peonies we’re told.) The farm has 150 varieties of peonies. We do not have any more space for sun-loving flowers so we just enjoyed looking.
The proprietor was friendly and out in the field talking with everyone. You could tell he loved his peonies. He told us peonies are hardy. He said if you go to any abandoned farm in Minnesota, you are likely to find lilacs, rhubarb, peonies, day lilies and iris’. Interesting!
He told us the oldest peony in Minnesota is 150 years old and is at the governor’s mansion. He said the oldest peony in the world is in the Emperor’s Garden in China and is 600 years old. I could not find any confirmation of these facts on the Internet (a very reliable source! ha).
The farm also includes the Aspelund Winery…grapes and apple trees and pear trees are grown on this farm. It’s in a beautiful setting in Aspelund, Minnesota. The winery only had outdoor seating and it was too cool to sit outdoors, but we peeked our heads inside to check out the tasting room…we’ll save that for another time.
The drive home was lovely…we love driving in the country…and I love this time of year when the green plants are popping through the soil a couple of inches, forming neatly, defined rows in the field.
As we approached our house we could see our three peony bushes from the road. They looked so insignificant in comparison to what we just witnessed – we laughed.
But they are beautiful and cheerful flowers…and they are blooming…and they are hardy! And I love cutting one stem at at time and having them show off their beauty for me in our house.
Learned recently that peonies are also called “The Queen of Spring” : )
I like it!
My mother had them along he south side of the house. So beautiful.
That’s interesting, I don’t remember peonies at the house where I grew up.
Thanks for the link, Valerie.
It sounds like you and Gary enjoyed your visit as much as me. I love all the history you learned, too. Your photos are lovely with many of the peonies looking beautiful despite the rain.
I am excited that this year my solo peony bush is blooming big blossoms. I got two plants from my sister several years ago. One survived after multiple moves. If I had more sun, I’d have more peonies.
Yay for the bush that survived. I’m glad you are enjoying the blossoms.
The lilac bush in our yard is from my childhood home. When we moved to Burnsville my mom was still living in the house I grew up in. We took a couple shoots from the lilac bush and planted them in the yard. Fourteen years later when we moved to Northfield I, again, took some shoots and planted in our yard here. Twenty-four years later its still blooming. I guess they are hardy!
Valerie, someone has just told me about the peony garden, and now you wrote about it! It looks like it is a beautiful place! I will have to go there soon!
Yes, soon…the peonies will be fading soon.
But the winery will still be open…