ROSE & IVY Woodland Beauty Discovering the Tree Peony at Peonies Envy

For more tree peonies, click here for The Terrific Tree Peony photography series.

Imagine this setting—intoxicating tree peonies laced with a sweet nectarous, yet smoky, aroma blooming below towering tulip trees that create a cathedral-like ceiling. Ethereal light filters through their tall trunks giving depth to a woodland that is dotted with wild ferns, colonies of Jack- in-the-Pulpit and rare Fern Leaf peonies, in show-stopping hues of fiery red. Narrow walking paths meander throughout, which are also flourishing with seasonal bearded iris, hydrangeas and other botanicals. The line between reality and a dreamland begin to blur together. Amidst the verdant green, a rainbow of colors paint the landscape in shades of creamy white to crimson. This oasis encountered is Peony’s Envy, a nursery and display garden in New Jersey, an exclusive home to more than 700 types of peonies situated on seven acres.

Kathleen Gagan started planting peony bushes out of her love for the ruffled bloom, which has the ability to seduce nearly all that come into contact with its beauty. Before entering the floral field, she had a career as a linguist and international corporate communications consultant, where she resided in Venezula and Taiwan. She returned back to the States and began dabbling in the peony world in 2004. She began with thirty plants, but the collection inevitably grew. Eventually people began to take notice and visitors began flocking from all over, to view her impressive range and to purchase the peonies that she cultivated. While opening her doors to the public is not a necessity, she believes that it is important to have a haven, a place of beauty that people can escape to and encounter something wonderful. She insists that something happens to the heart - it beats faster when you immerse yourself in an experience as wonderful as flowers. I couldn’t agree more.

Was there a particular moment that prompted your love for peonies?

I think it was a lot of luck, the key being that deer do not eat them. I was trying to find a sustainable crop for the farmland and peonies won. Peonies chose me. They chose me for a reason, they fit into my ethic on gardening in that you don’t need extra irrigation or chemical fertilizers to make them grow, with a few exceptions. You don’t need to do much to keep your plant

When did you start Peony’s Envy?

I opened in October 2006, so this is the tenth year. I started out with 30 plants then added 10,000 the following year. I added 10,000 to 30,000 each year after that to fill the entire 7 acres of land, which now has 700 different varieties.

Did you study horticulture before or after you started the farm?

I planted then studied horticulture at the Barnes Foundation, however, I am always learning.

Playing favorites is hard, but do you have a favorite type of peony?

Fat Concubine, a cheeky name for a late-blooming flower that has a long shelf life, so it is optimal for weddings. If is fluffy and when it opens it smells like lemons. Gansu tree peonies are one of my favorite things ever. They are harder to find, but now they are being cultivated more and more. In 50 years, they will be popular. Hana Kisoi is a classic Japanese tree peony, that looks like gently crinkled pink crepe paper. Incorporate them into your next dinner party and be sure to plan the meal around the time that they bloom.

What is one random fact about peonies that most people do not know?

If properly refrigerated, peony buds can be preserved up to 6 months.

Purchasing & Caring for Your Peonies:

Peony’s Envy ships throughout the United States from September through May. Maintaining a peony bush requires little work, however, there are a few pointers to keep in mind to ensure beautiful flowers each season.

Fertilizing can help them thrive, however, Gagan recommends staying away from chemical fertilizers that might do more harm than good. When it comes to watering, it is best to rely on nature, or rain, to do the work, but generally they need one good soak a week. While peonies might look delicate, they are actually resilient blooms that are deer-resistant. Woodland & Tree Peonies at a Glance: Unlike their herbaceous counterparts, Woodland and Tree varieties thrive in shadier environments and are the first to open. The Woodland variety can grow just under two-feet tall, self-seed and during the fall display indigo and scarlet seed pods, just in time for autumn foliage. Tree Peonies bloom after the Woodland, during the months of April and May. The can grow from three to seven-feet high and are known for their impressive dinner plate sized blooms. Also, chances are this plant will outlive its gardener, since they can live for centuries.