Although typically listed as red, the “Karl Rosenfield” peony (Paeonia lactiflora “Karl Rosenfield”) is that shade of purplish crimson which some describe as dark pink. Achieving about 3 feet tall, it creates flowers in the semi-rose form, and blossoms for approximately two weeks in early summer in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. Now considered an heirloom, the cultivar was introduced by breeder John Rosenfield in 1908.

Breeder John Rosenfield

John Rosenfield began growing peonies on 10 acres of land near West Point, Nebraska in 1884. In his late 20s at the time, the young man also developed an interest in beginning new varieties from seed. His first attempt created mostly unsatisfactory single varieties inferior for their parents. But once he learned to pick seeds from only the best types — after planting those types close to each other — his success rate improved. At the early 1900s his nursery introduced at least six original peonies, such as “Floral Treasure,” “Golden Harvest,” “Crimson Victory,” “Ak-sar-ben,” “Prairie King,” and — most importantly — “Karl Rosenfield,” named for his son or daughter.

Rosenfield Peony Gardens

After 26 decades of selling peonies in West Point, Rosenfield moved his Rosenfield Peony Gardens in 1910 to a more well-traveled place, along the Lincoln Highway near Omaha, Nebraska. He continued his company there for seven years before selling the company and eventually retiring to Indianapolis. The “Karl Rosenfield” cultivar became his claim to fame, even because his brief departure notice in a 1934 issue of the Chicago Sunday Tribune said he was the programmer of that particular peony.

Peony Uses

Traditionally added to large perennial beds and borders, peonies are occasionally planted in rows along driveways or other landscape features to serve as informal hedges. Since the bloom period of each kind generally covers no longer than fourteen days, it’s a good idea to plant the two early, mid-season and late-blooming varieties to extend the bloom period to about fourteen days. If you keep the ground about them sod-free, then you also can inter-plant the peonies using annuals or perennials that bloom at other times of the year.

Peony Basics

Peonies do best in rich, well-watered and well-draining soil. Even though they bloom better in full sunlight, they should have afternoon shade in the warmest zone of their range, USDA zone 8. Plant peony tubers in early fall, ensuring the eyes — shoot tips — about their tubers are approximately 1 inch — and much longer than 2 inches — below the surface of the ground. If set too intensely, peonies frequently don’t bloom. Space plants 2 to 4 feet the same distance from other nearby plants. Double-flowered types will require stakes or peony rings to support their heavy blossoms. To prevent fungal diseases, remove any dead foliage after the peonies die back to their tubers in fall.

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