Key Features

• Growth Habit:
  • Upright, bushy intersectional (Itoh) perennial
  • Typically grows 30–36 inches tall and 30–36 inches wide
  • Strong stems support large blooms without staking
• Bloom Color:
  • Creamy yellow flowers with peach-apricot blushes and burgundy flares that mature to soft cream and ivory
• Fragrance:
  • Light, sweet floral fragrance
• Fruit Flavor:
  • Not grown for edible fruit production
• Culinary Uses:
  • No culinary uses
• Medicinal & Traditional Uses:
  • Primarily cultivated as an ornamental flowering perennial
  • Traditional peony species have been used in herbal medicine, though Itoh hybrids are grown almost exclusively for ornamental value
• Wildlife Attraction & Pest Resistance:
  • Attracts bees and other pollinators during bloom
  • Deer resistant
  • Rabbit resistant
  • Highly resistant to most pests and diseases
• Planting Zones: USDA Zones 4–9
• Sun Preferences:
  • Full sun to partial shade
  • Best flowering occurs with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Drought Tolerance:
  • Moderate once established

Planting Instructions (From a Bareroot into the Ground)

1. Choose the Location

• Select a sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil.
• Avoid areas where water remains after heavy rains.

2. Prepare the Soil

• Loosen soil 12–18 inches deep.
• Mix compost or well-aged organic matter into the planting area to improve fertility and drainage.

3. Prepare the Bareroot

• Inspect the root and locate the visible growth buds ("eyes").
• If roots appear dry, soak the bareroot in water for 1–2 hours before planting.

4. Dig the Planting Hole

• Dig a hole wide enough to comfortably spread the roots.
• Form a small mound of soil in the center of the hole.

5. Position the Root

• Spread the roots evenly over the mound.
• Position the eyes facing upward.
• Plant so the eyes are only 1–2 inches below the finished soil surface. Planting deeper may reduce flowering.

6. Backfill and Water

• Backfill with soil, gently firm around the roots, and water thoroughly to eliminate air pockets.

7. Mulch

• Apply a light layer of mulch around the planting area while keeping the crown exposed.

8. Spacing

• Space plants 30–36 inches apart to provide adequate airflow and room for mature growth.

Overwintering Callie's Memory Itoh Peony

In-Ground Plants

• Fully hardy throughout USDA Zones 4–9.
• Foliage naturally dies back after the first hard frost.
• Cut stems back to 2–3 inches above ground level in late fall.

Winter Care Tips

• Apply a light mulch layer after the ground freezes, especially in colder climates.
• Remove excess mulch in early spring before new growth emerges.
• Ensure well-drained soil throughout winter to prevent crown rot.
• Avoid disturbing established plants, as Itoh peonies become larger and more floriferous with age.

Newly Planted Bareroots

• Newly planted bareroots may spend their first season developing roots rather than producing many flowers.
• Bloom production typically increases significantly during the second and third growing seasons.

Container-Grown Plants

• Protect containers from repeated freeze-thaw cycles by moving them to a sheltered location.
• Water sparingly during winter dormancy, allowing the soil to remain slightly moist but never soggy.

Callie's Memory Itoh Peony is an elegant, long-lived perennial that produces spectacular, color-changing blooms in shades of buttery yellow, peach, and cream. With its sturdy stems, lush foliage, exceptional cold hardiness, and reliable flowering, this award-worthy Itoh peony is a magnificent addition to perennial borders, cottage gardens, and premium cut flower arrangements for decades of beauty.