SKU: 00840369421999 Paeonia 'New Millennium'- Big bareroot 2-3 eye

Plant Features & Growing Information

• Growth Habit: Upright, bushy, rounded, clump-forming perennial. Combines tree-peony-like foliage and sturdy stems with the winter dormancy of herbaceous peonies.

• Peony Type: Itoh Peony, also known as an Intersectional Hybrid Peony.

• Mature Height: Approximately 25–30 inches tall.

• Mature Spread: Approximately 30–36 inches wide.

• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate, becoming more vigorous as the underground crown develops.

• Longevity: Exceptionally long-lived. Properly established plants can remain productive in the same garden location for decades.

• Bloom Color: Brilliant coral-pink to salmon-pink flowers, often accented with creamy streaks and lighter pink highlights.

• Color-Changing Flowers: Blossoms gradually soften from vivid coral-pink to lighter shades of pink as they mature.

• Flower Form: Large, semi-double flowers with gently ruffled, overlapping petals and prominent golden-yellow stamens.

• Flower Size: Approximately 4–6 inches across, depending on growing conditions.

• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer, generally May to June depending on climate.

• Flowering Habit: Established plants produce an abundant display of flowers that may open over several days or weeks.

• Fragrance: Lightly fragrant, with a delicate, pleasant floral scent.

• Foliage: Attractive, deeply divided, lush dark green foliage resembling that of a tree peony.

• Spring Foliage: New shoots may emerge with reddish or bronze tones before maturing to green.

• Fall Foliage: Foliage often remains attractive well into autumn before declining with colder temperatures.

• Winter Habit: Deciduous. Most above-ground growth dies back during winter, although short woody stem bases may occasionally persist.

• Fruit Flavor: Not grown for edible fruit. Any seed-containing structures are ornamental and have no recognized culinary fruit flavor.

• Culinary Uses: Not recommended for consumption. New Millennium is cultivated as an ornamental hybrid and should not be promoted as an edible flower or food crop.

• Medicinal Uses: Certain Paeonia species have histories of traditional herbal use. However, New Millennium has no established safe home medicinal application, and its ornamental roots should not be used for homemade remedies.

• Possible Toxicity to Pets: Potentially toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested. Peonies contain paeonol, which may cause gastrointestinal irritation.

• Pet Toxicity Symptoms: Possible symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy or depression.

• Possible Toxicity to Humans: Not recommended for consumption. Roots, foliage, seeds, and other plant parts should not be eaten without authoritative guidance.

• Deer Resistance: Good. Deer generally avoid established peonies, although no garden plant is completely deer-proof.

• Rabbit Resistance: Good. Rabbits typically leave mature peonies alone.

• Pollinator Value: The semi-double flowers may attract bees and other pollinating insects when pollen is accessible.

• Ants on Peonies: Ants may visit developing flower buds to feed on sugary secretions. They do not harm the plant and are not required for the flowers to open.

• Pest Resistance: Generally good once established. Occasional pests may include thrips, scale insects, and nematodes.

• Disease Concerns: Potential diseases include Botrytis blight, peony leaf blotch, and other fungal problems. Proper spacing and good garden sanitation help reduce disease pressure.

• USDA Planting Zones: Generally recommended for USDA Zones 3–9, although reliable flowering in the warmest areas depends on sufficient winter chilling.

• Winter Chilling: Benefits from a period of cold winter dormancy for dependable flowering.

• Sun Preferences: Full sun is ideal, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

• Partial Shade: Tolerates light partial shade, particularly in warmer climates, but excessive shade can reduce flower production.

• Drought Tolerance: Moderate once established. Mature plants tolerate occasional dry periods but benefit from consistent moisture during spring growth and flowering.

• Water Requirements: Maintain moderate, consistent moisture during establishment and active growth. Avoid waterlogged soil.

• Soil Preferences: Prefers deep, fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil.

• Soil Adaptability: Can grow in sandy, loamy, and appropriately drained clay soils.

• Support Requirements: Strong, sturdy stems generally support the large flowers without staking.

• Cut Flower Uses: Suitable for short-lived fresh arrangements, although the blossoms may have a shorter vase life than traditional cut-flower peonies. Flowers are especially attractive floated in shallow decorative bowls.

• Landscape Uses: Ideal for perennial borders, cottage gardens, specimen plantings, foundation beds, mass plantings, and elegant mixed flower gardens.

When & How to Prune

• Spring: Allow healthy shoots to emerge and develop naturally. Routine spring pruning is unnecessary.

• During Flowering: Flowers may be harvested for arrangements, but leave adequate foliage on the plant to support the underground crown.

• Deadheading: Remove spent flowers by cutting the flower stems back to a healthy set of leaves.

• After Flowering: Do not remove healthy green foliage. The leaves continue photosynthesizing and storing energy needed for the following year's flowers.

• Summer: Remove badly diseased or damaged foliage when necessary, but preserve healthy leaves.

• Fall Cutback: After foliage naturally yellows or is killed by frost, remove dead herbaceous stems close to ground level.

• Persistent Woody Stems: Itoh peonies may retain short, woody stem bases. Remove dead material carefully without damaging healthy crown buds near the soil surface.

• Fall Cleanup: Remove old foliage and stems from the planting area to reduce overwintering fungal disease spores.

• Winter: No additional pruning is necessary while the crown remains dormant.

Planting Instructions from a Bare Root or "Peony Bulb" into the Ground

Important: Although New Millennium is commonly sold alongside flower bulbs, the planting material is technically a fleshy bare-root crown with visible growth buds called eyes, not a true bulb.

• Best Planting Time: Fall is ideal, generally September through November while the soil remains workable. Early spring planting is also possible.

• Choose a Permanent Location: Itoh peonies dislike frequent transplanting. Select a location where New Millennium can remain undisturbed for many years.

• Sunlight: Choose a location receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

• Spacing: Space plants approximately 30–36 inches apart, or slightly farther apart for maximum airflow.

• Prepare the Soil: Dig a broad planting hole approximately 12–18 inches wide and deep, or large enough to accommodate the fleshy roots without bending them.

• Loosen the Soil: Break up compacted soil around the planting area so roots can expand easily.

• Improve Poor Soil: Incorporate compost or well-aged organic matter as needed while maintaining excellent drainage.

• Avoid Fresh Manure: Do not place fresh manure or concentrated fertilizer directly against the roots.

• Identify the Eyes: Locate the small pink, red, or whitish growth buds on the crown. These will produce new shoots.

• Position the Root: Place the crown with the uppermost eyes facing upward and the fleshy roots extending downward and outward. An angled position is acceptable if needed to accommodate the crown.

• Critical Planting Depth: Position the uppermost eyes approximately 1–2 inches below the finished soil surface.

• Do Not Plant Too Deeply: Excessively deep planting can interfere with reliable flowering. Keep the crown relatively close to the soil surface.

• Backfill Carefully: Gently work loose soil around the roots, eliminating large air pockets without heavily compacting the planting area.

• Water Thoroughly: Water deeply immediately after planting to settle soil around the roots.

• Recheck Planting Depth: After watering and soil settling, confirm that the uppermost eyes remain approximately 1–2 inches below the finished soil surface.

• Mulching: Apply a light layer of mulch around the plant if needed, but avoid burying the crown beneath thick mulch.

• First-Year Watering: Keep the soil moderately moist during the first growing season while the root system establishes.

• First-Year Expectations: Newly planted crowns may produce limited foliage or few flowers during their first season.

• Establishment Period: Allow approximately 2–3 growing seasons for New Millennium to develop into a substantial flowering clump.

Fertilizing New Millennium Itoh Peony

• At Planting: Avoid placing concentrated fertilizer directly against the bare roots.

• Early Spring: Apply compost or an appropriate balanced, slow-release fertilizer around the root zone as new growth begins.

• Avoid Excess Nitrogen: Too much nitrogen encourages foliage growth at the expense of flower production.

• Fertilizer Placement: Apply fertilizer around the outer root zone rather than directly over the crown.

Overwintering & Seasonal Care

• Fall: Plant new bare-root crowns in well-prepared soil while temperatures are cool.

• Late Fall: After foliage dies back, remove dead stems and old plant debris.

• Winter: The crown remains dormant underground. Cold winter temperatures are beneficial for reliable flowering.

• Early Spring: Reddish shoots emerge from the crown and quickly develop into attractive green foliage.

• Spring: Maintain adequate moisture as foliage and flower buds develop.

• Late Spring/Early Summer: Large coral-pink flowers open, displaying creamy streaks, ruffled petals, and golden-yellow stamens.

• After Flowering: Deadhead spent blossoms while retaining healthy foliage.

• Summer: Continue watering during prolonged dry periods and allow the foliage to remain intact.

• Autumn: Foliage naturally yellows or browns as energy is transferred into the underground crown.

• After Frost: Remove dead foliage and stems to prepare for winter dormancy.

Additional Growing Tips

Distinctive Flower Color: New Millennium is particularly admired for its vibrant coral-pink flowers accented with delicate creamy streaks. As the flowers mature, their colors gradually soften to lighter pink.

Itoh Hybrid Advantage: Itoh peonies combine the beautiful foliage and strong stems of tree peonies with the winter dormancy and cold hardiness of herbaceous peonies.

Planting Depth Is Critical: Keep the uppermost eyes approximately 1–2 inches below the soil surface. Excessively deep planting can reduce flowering.

Strong Stems: New Millennium generally holds its large flowers upright without staking, making it an excellent low-maintenance landscape peony.

Be Patient: Newly planted bare-root peonies may take several seasons to reach their full flowering potential.

Cut Flower Tip: Unlike some traditional peonies, New Millennium flowers may have a relatively short vase life. For indoor enjoyment, try floating a freshly opened blossom in a shallow decorative bowl.

Companion Planting: New Millennium pairs beautifully with purple alliums, lavender, catmint, salvia, bearded irises, roses, hardy geraniums, and ornamental grasses.

Ant Tip: Ants are naturally attracted to sugary secretions around developing peony buds. They are generally harmless and are not required for flowers to open.

Long-Term Care Tip: Once established, leave New Millennium undisturbed whenever possible. Itoh peonies generally become larger and more impressive with age.

Safety Reminder: New Millennium is an ornamental peony rather than an edible crop. Keep roots, foliage, and other plant material away from pets likely to consume garden plants.