Shimatsubeni

Shimatsubeni.  Japan. Unregistered historic Japanese suffruticosa cultivar.  Shimatsubeni has huge full formed red semi-double flowers with petals that are highly ruffled.  Flowers can reach 10 inches in diameter.  The coloration is not as bright as Taiyo, but deeper and does not fade like so many of the other reds.  Plants reach a height of around 3 1/2 feet in Wisconsin and have excellent hardy stems, but are on the slower side for growth.  It must be planted in a well ventilated area to prevent disease, like all of the other suffruticosas.   Plants have excellent foliage and are consistent bloomers each year.  This is the best red suffruticosa in our opinion for form and color.  Shimatsubeni is rarely available and is an outstanding plant for the collector of fine peonies.  Ship late September to mid October.  AGE: Field grown, 4+ year old graft or division from larger plants – our choice of available plant material upon harvest.