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Forwarding the Woody Peony: Hybridizing Tree Peonies for American Gardens
February 12, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
FREE
Co-Sponsored with the Mid-Atlantic Peony Society
Few plants are as beautiful and interesting as the woody peony (commonly called “tree peonies”). Nate Bremer, President of the American Peony Society and proprietor of Solaris Farms in Reedsville, WI, will present information relating to producing new woody peony cultivars adapted to northern climates. Peony enthusiasts of all levels are welcome to learn basic information about the group, how and why crosses are made, parent selection, growing seedlings, and seedling selection. Many images of possible outcomes from hybridizing will be presented to reinforce the possibilities, with hopes the presentation will excite gardeners and “nudge” them into trying a few crosses of their own. Additionally, Nate will share insights and favorite plants he has had experience with from over 20 years of work growing, propagating, and showing woody peonies. Some great-looking herbaceous peonies will also make the program – how could we leave these out?!
All registrations include access to the recording. Email us if you have accessibility needs for this program.
In-person advance registration is closed. Walk-in registrations are welcome. Due to limited seating, virtual participants cannot attend in person. In-person presentation will be followed by a reception with light refreshments.
Virtual registrants will be able to view the recording shortly after the presentation concludes and can ask the speaker questions by emailing scott@swarthmore.edu in advance.
Nate Bremer is a Wisconsin hybridizer, plantsman, teacher,and lecturer specializing in northern hardy Paeonia (peony), Hemerocallis (daylily), and Lilium (true lilies). He is the current President of the American Peony Society and has served on the Board of Directors since 2017. He wears numerous hats within the American Peony Society including website manager, show judge, award of landscape merit judge and speaker (and other less interesting things).
With more than 150 daylily and 70 peony registrations, Bremer is the proprietor of Solaris Farms [link], a specialty perennial nursery and hybridizing operation. A passionate gardener with a fascination for plant genetics, he has a special interest in hybridizing and promoting perennials with proven performance for the growing conditions of the continental northern tier.
